WASHINGTON (January 5, 2019) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University men's basketball team dropped its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener against Florida A&M (FAMU), 82-72, inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
With the setback, HU fell to 6-8 (0-1 MEAC) on the season.
 
Howard was hampered by turnovers, committing 20 miscues on the day, including 14 in the first half.
 
"There were a lot of turnovers tonight," Nickelberry stated after the game. "Usually, we're a low turnover team, but tonight was an anomaly. RJ [Cole] had 11 [turnovers] but going forward I'm not really concerned because he's going to do a better job taking care of the ball. His turnovers tonight are not going to change my confidence in putting the ball in his hands. I still have the utmost confidence in him."
 
Despite the turnovers, sophomore guard RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) finished with 19 points and kept HU in the contest with his aggressive play in attacking the basket. The New Jersey native went 10-of-12 at the charity stripe.
 
Howard struggled on the glass, 30-26, which kept them from getting out in transition.
 
"We did not do a great job rebounding," said Nickelberry. "What helps us get going is our rebounding and we just did not do a great job."
 
With under five minutes before intermission, the Bison fought back and went on a 12-2 spurt and held a slight advantage at intermission, thanks to a put-back layup from junior guard Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.), 36-35.
 
With 9:26 remaining, FAMU's Nasir Core hit a three-pointer to put FAMU ahead, 60-57, in which they never relinquished.
 
Florida A&M shot 58-percent (33-of-57) from the field, including 67-percent (18-of-27) after halftime.
 
"Our biggest adjustment is trying to figure out the other side of the basketball [defensively]," Nickelberry concluded. "If we cannot get stops, we cannot get out and run. They kept us in the half-court all night and we must do a better job of getting stops."
 
Williams led the Bison with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-6 from downtown. Redshirt junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.) added 19 points and seven rebounds in his first game back since returning from injury.
 
FAMU (4-12, 1-0 MEAC) had five Rattlers in double figures, led by Justin Ravenel with a team-high 20 points.
 
The Bison continue their season when they travel to Princess Anne, Md. to take Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Jan. 7). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.