WASHINGTON (January 5, 2019) --- Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University women's basketball team held off Florida A&M University (FAMU) ,74-68, in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener in Burr Gym. The Bison improved to 8-6 (1-0 MEAC), while the Rattlers dropped to 2-11 (0-1 MEAC). The Bison led for most of the first half, before FAMU rallied to take the lead briefly. Howard held off to win the game.
The Bison got off to a strong start, leading 19-11 after the first quarter. Sophomore Jayla Thornton scored nine points, knocking down 3-of-5 shots from behind the arc. Junior Ayonna Williams hit a pair of threes of her own, and added eight points in the quarter.
The Bison hit 9-of-25 threes (36%) for the game.
"We have two or three pretty decent three-point shooters, Jayla Thornton being one of the better ones obviously. She has the green light to put the ball up anytime. So when she gets opportunities, she knocks them down, and she did that tonight in certain spots during the game. I think that definitely helps our three-point field goal percentage a lot," said Grace afterwards.
The Bison continued their strong play in the second quarter, forcing FAMU into 10 turnovers, which were converted into 19 points. The Bison took their biggest lead of the game, 42-14, with 3:14 to play in the half.
Howard led 48-29 at the break.
The Bison started the second half slowly, allowing FAMU to chip away at the lead. Defensive woes and nine turnovers cost the Bison in the third quarter.
"We just weren't communicating. We were losing people, we were out of sync, two people on the ball, we're not rotating over, and FAMU did a good job of attacking the gap. That's something that we are going to watch on the film one morning in practice and try to figure out how to get on that defensive cord," said Grace.
FAMU's Candice Williams hit a three with 6:15 to play in the quarter to cut the lead to 55-45. Just over a minute later, she hit another to pull the Rattlers within five.
In the third quarter Howard was outscored 24-9.
"We talk about that all the time. Basketball is a game of runs and we knew FAMU wasn't going to lay down and think the game is over. We knew they were going to make a run. Our team has to start to lock in more defensively, I think I said that last time. They have to find ways to get stops. Maybe a five point run or a three point run, but 15 or 20 point runs, we have to be able to shut that down," said Grace after the game.
Dy'Manee Royal made a layup with 9:39 to play, giving the Rattlers their first lead since the first quarter, 58-57. Junior Sarah Edmond hit a jumper with 5:54 remaining, returning the lead to the Bison. They stayed ahead until the end.
Williams led the Bison with 22 points. Thornton added 15 points. Edmond contributed 11 points. Freshman Krislyn Marsh chipped in with 10 points, seven boards and four steals.
FAMU was led by D.C. native Mya Moye with 22 points and five rebounds. Williams added 18 points and four rebounds. Royal contributed 13 points and four rebounds.
The Bison continue their season when they travel to Princess Anne, Maryland, to take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on January 7. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. The Bison return to Burr on January 12, when they host Bethune-Cookman University. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. For more information, visit 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.
