WASHINGTON (January 15, 2019) --- Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University women's basketball team dominated the Morgan State Bears in a decisive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory in Burr Gym.

The, 79-56, victory improved the Bison's record to 10-7 (3-1 MEAC). The Bears dropped to 4-14 (2-2 MEAC).

The win came in large part due to Howard's defensive stronghold. The Bison held the Bears' top scorer, Adre'onia Coleman to just six points (3-of-9) in the first half. "We tried to carry over from last game's defensive focus. Last week we did a good job on Bethune-Cookman's leading scorer {Angel Golden} and Morgan State has the same type of dominant player in Coleman," said Grace. 

"We wanted to limit her touches, contain penetration and successfully rebound the basketball. She scored tonight, but she had to work for every point." Coleman was the top scorer for the Bears with her 20 points.

Four Bison scored in the double-digits to round out the win. Jayla Thornton had 20 points. She made three of her four shots at the free throw line and 5-of-6 from three-point range. Sarah Edmond posted 17 points and was perfect on free throws tonight. Both Ayonna Williams and Tariah Johnson put up 10 points. "Balance is very important within our team," explained Grace. "I think that's when we are most successful. We are versatile in different positions, so it allows us to score at different levels and it keeps the defense honest throughout the game. All of our players have the opportunity to score, so when they are doing it collectively, it's fun to watch."

Imani Bryant led both teams with her 11 rebounds. The Bison were able to get 13 second chance points. They also successfully scored 19 off of the bench and 24 points off of turnovers. Asia McCants had 10 off the bench.

Two free throws by Curstyn Moore gave the Bison their first points of the night and they never lost the lead. Although they trailed, the Bears had an early 16-13 scoring gap that widened. Morgan State had multiple players in the double-digits also. Senior Kayla Horn had 11 points and freshman Asia McCalla finished with 10. Morgan State could not come together to find the rally needed to upend the Bison.

The Bison will travel to South Carolina State on January 19 to face the Bulldogs at 2:00 p.m. For more information visit, the Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.