Coach Ty Grace and the Howard women's basketball team used a second half run to roll past the Delaware State Hornets 78-62 on Alumni Day.  

The Bison (11-8, 4-2 MEAC) started the game off slowly before taking a 33-31 lead at the break. The Bison shot just 31% from the field in the opening quarter and found themselves down 19-16.Grace noted afterwards, "At halftime I challenged them a bit. I told them we needed to gut check defensively. We were letting them just do whatever with the ball."

Jayla Thornton found action with the Bison by knocking down a three on the first possession of the half.

She came into the game ranked fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in three point shooting percentage. The sophomore knocked down four three-pointers and finished with 18 points and six rebounds. With five minutes to go in the game, she connected on a three, which gave the Bison a 68-54 lead.

"I let these kids play free and I just told them that in the locker room. She {Thornton} has to be able to play to her strengths and her strength is shooting the ball. So I give her the free range to put the ball up and she did a great job. She found spots. She didn't hide in the corner. She came up ready to shoot and defensively tonight she had some deflections, some tips and six rebounds so that was big. We talked about her rebounding at the guard spot too," said Grace.  

Sarah Edmond had a team high 20 points and five rebounds. Imani Bryant had a double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ayonna Williams added 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Bison dominated the glass, outrebounding the Hornets,52-35.  

"We did a good job offensive rebounding - Imani and Krislyn and Asia -- we did a good job hitting the offensive glass and getting extra possessions," Grace commented.  

The Bison forced the Hornets into 17 turnovers, which they turned into 15 points. They also had 21 fast break points.  

Delaware State (3-15, 1-6 MEAC) was led by NaJai Pollard with a game high 23 points. Lanayjha Ashe added 17 points and five assists.  

Prior to the game the Bison honored former basketball standout Saadia Doyle. Doyle is the reigning MEAC conference record holder for all-time career scoring.  She led the Bison to three consecutive MEAC tournaments in 2011, 2012 and 2013. After graduating, Doyle was a WNBA draft prospect. She went on to play on the Australian Wagga Blaze women's basketball team in the Queensland Basketball league. In 2016 she was the team's leading scorer, leading rebounder and Finals MVP. Since moving back to the United States, she has gone on to compete in various DMV-area leagues. Most recently playing with the semi-pro Maryland Jewels. In 2018 she was named Player of the Game three times and selected as an All-Star Guard.  

The Bison take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday, January 28. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. in Burr Gym.

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.