WASHINGTON (January 21, 2019) – On a day where Howard University men's basketball celebrated Martin Luther King's excellence to humanity, the Bison fell short to Harvard, 84-71, in front of a packed house at Burr Gymnasium.
 
The Crimson (7-7) shot 44-percent (8-of-18) from behind the arc in the first half and limited HU to only two fast-break points.
 
"We could not get out in transition," said Howard Men's Basketball head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "They outrebounded us and got second chance points."
 
Harvard owned the glass, outrebounding the Bison, 40-33, but Howard scored 12 on second chance points from 13 offensive boards.
 
From the charity stripe, Harvard connected on 92-percent (22-of-24) while the Bison made only 59-percent (13-of-22).
 
"In our close losses, we've been unable to make free throws," Nickelberry commented. "We must do a better job at the free throw line. It's going to be crucial for us to convert at a higher rate if we're going to be successful down the stretch."
 
The Crimson started fast, taking a 19-7 lead off a jumper by Robert Baker. The Bison battled back to cut the lead to four, 28-24, after a shot from sophomore guard RJ Cole (Union, N.J.).
 
Harvard's Henry Welsh and Justin Bassey connected on back-to-back trey balls and extended the lead back to double digits with more than four minutes until halftime, 34-24.
 
After taking a 45-31 advantage at the break, Harvard opened the second period with three consecutive dunks, 51-33, but the Bison fought back and sliced the margin down to seven after Cole found redshirt junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.) for a jumper, 63-56.
 
Despite the comeback, HU would not be able to close the gap as Harvard pulled away late to win.
 
"We cut the game close a couple times," Nickelberry continued. "We must close out possessions a little bit better, but I'm confident with the development of this team. We got some really special players and some really good freshmen."
 
The Bison were led by Cole, who finished with a game-high 21 points and eight assists. Junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) added 19 points and five rebounds while Lott chipped in 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Freshman Raymond Bethea, Jr. (Atlantic City, N.J.) netted 12 points off the bench, knocking down four three pointers in the loss.
 
At halftime, Howard alum Kamala Harris made an appearance on the day she announced her presidential candidacy.
 
"I heard the announcement," Nickelberry added. "It's an honor to play Harvard on Martin Luther King Day in front of her Howard alum, distinguished guest, and more."
 
Harvard had five Crimson reached double figures, led by Bassey with a team-high 18 points. Lewis and Bryce Aiken each scored 16 while Baker and Christian Juzang added 11 apiece.
 
"[Bryce] Aiken gave them a different look," Nickelberry concluded. "He can create his own shot, in which we had to help more."
 
The Bison (8-12) return to conference play when they host Delaware State Saturday (Jan. 26). Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.