WASHINGTON (January 26, 2019) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University men's basketball team picked up their first home conference win with an 80-74 victory over the Delaware State (DSU) Hornets in a Saturday matinee matchup at Burr Gymnasium.
 
Junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) led all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 18 before intermission.
 
Before tip-off, the program recognized members of the Bison family who have been affected by cancer. Among those affected were redshirt senior Jalen Jones (Kinston, N.C.), alumni Kofi Andoh, and Williams' mother.
 
"It was a big day for all three," said Nickelberry. "We needed a start like that, especially from [Charles] Williams."
 
Williams got the Bison going in the first half, scoring 12 of the first 17 points for the club.
 
"He did not know his mother was coming today," Nickelberry continued. "Playing in front of his mother for the first time in awhile created some emotions for him. That got CJ [Charles Williams] ready, which is something we needed."
 
HU shared the ball with 18 assists, led by redshirt junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.) with a team-best six dimes.
 
"We worked all week on ball movement," Nickelberry commented. "It helped us get some easy shots and find some mismatches."
 
Williams drained a trey ball and gave Howard its largest advantage, 17-5, but the Hornets fought back and pulled within four at the break, 38-34, after a three-pointer by Pinky Wiley.
 
DSU sliced the margin as slim as one on multiple occasions, but the Bison refused to relinquish the lead throughout the second half.
 
"We lost some close games, so we learned from it," Nickelberry added. "We did sprints throughout the week while we were tired, that helped us make free throws late [in the game]. We were able to close out the game at the free throw line."
 
The Bison hit 14-of-20 free throws, including 71-percent (12-of-17) after intermission.
 
Along with six assists, Lott finished with 15 points while sophomore RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) added 20 points and five dimes.
 
DSU's (3-17, 0-7 MEAC) Kevin Larkin had 19 points and five rebounds to pace the Hornets. Wiley and D'Marco Baucum added 13 apiece and Ameer Bennett netted 10 points in the loss.
 
The Bison (9-12, 3-3 MEAC) host Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Jan. 28). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Burr Gymnasium and will be televised on ESPNU.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.