WASHINGTON (February 13, 2019) – This week's Bison Brief edition features news from men's & women's basketball, football, softball, women's tennis, men's & women's track and field and more.
 
Bison Brief provides a weekly recap of HU athletics so anything you missed during the week, no problem, we have you covered.
 
Another great week of HU Athletics!
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
 
The Howard University men's basketball team took care of business on their trip to Florida.
 
Saturday (Feb. 9), the Bison defeated Florida A&M, 70-66. Sophomore RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) had a game-high 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting from downtown while racking up seven dimes and four boards in the win.
 
Two nights later (Feb. 11), the Bison took down Bethune-Cookman, 79-73. Cole led all scorers with a season-high 32 points, including 20 in the first half.
 
Tuesday (Feb. 12), Cole was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, while freshman Raymond Bethea, Jr. (Atlantic City, N.J.) was selected MEAC Rookie of the Week.
 
The Bison return home for their final two home games of the season. They take on North Carolina A&T State Saturday (Feb. 16) and North Carolina Central Monday (Feb. 18). Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Monday.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
 
The Howard University women's basketball team split a pair of games on their trip to Florida.
 
They blew out Florida A&M, 81-59, Saturday (Feb. 9). Junior Ayonna Williams (Washington) had 17 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in the victory.
 
Two nights later (Feb. 11), the Bison lost at Bethune-Cookman, 76-63. Williams scored 21 points, posted five rebounds and three steals in the loss.
 
On Feb. 12, junior Imani Bryant (Berkeley, Calif.) was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Krislyn Marsh (Duncanville, Texas) won MEAC Rookie of the Week.
 
The Bison return home for their final two home games of the season. They take on North Carolina A&T State Saturday (Feb. 16) and North Carolina Central Monday (Feb. 18). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Monday.
 
FOOTBALL
 
Coach Ron Prince and the Howard University football team added six new Bison to the 2019 recruiting class, bringing the overall total to 20 student-athletes.
 
"Howard University football took a major step forward," Prince stated. "We were able to add six outstanding student-athletes to an already historically strong class of 14 young men who signed in the early period. The class reflects our approach of signing student-athletes to address the current team needs while also attracting the best available."
 
Last season, HU finished 4-6 overall and 4-3 in MEAC play.
 
SOFTBALL
 
The Howard University softball team began their season by participating in the Southern Softball Challenge.
 
Friday (Feb. 8), the Bison lost both games to Southern, 6-3, and Prairie View A&M, 7-1.
 
The next day (Feb. 9), HU split a pair of games. They beat North Carolina Central, 4-3, and lost to Alabama State, 10-1. Head Coach Tori Tyson earned her first collegiate victory against the Eagles.
 
The Bison will participate in the UNC-Wilmington Invitational over the weekend. The tournament starts Friday (Feb. 15) and finishes Sunday (Feb. 17).
 
WOMEN'S TENNIS
 
On Feb. 9, Howard University women's tennis team dropped its match against Fairleigh Dickinson, 7-0, at the U.S. Naval Academy.
 
The Bison will travel to Annapolis again Saturday, Feb. 16 for a match against Navy. Start time is 9:00 a.m.
 
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
 
The Howard University men's track & field squad participated in the VMI Winter Relays Friday (Feb.8) and Saturday (Feb. 9). Corintheans Payne (Apopka, Fla.), Kenneth Chigbue (Bowie, Md.), Korey Lombard (Antioch, Calif.), and Aariq Nixon (Baltimore) ran a season-best in the men's 4x400 relay (3:19.28) while qualifying for the IC4A Indoor Championships in Boston.
 
On Feb. 21-23, Howard travels to nearby Landover, Md. for the 2019 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day event takes place at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.
 
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
 
The Howard University women's track & field squad participated in the VMI Winter Relays Friday (Feb.8) and Saturday (Feb. 9). Sophomore Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) set a new school record (24.32) in the 200-meter dash.
 
On Feb. 21-23, Howard travels to nearby Landover, Md. for the 2019 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day event takes place at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.
 
GENERAL
 
5K RUN TO CURE SICKLE CELL
 
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Howard University will host a 5K walk/run, the Run to Cure Sickle Cell, to raise awareness of sickle cell Saturday, Feb. 23, during the 2019 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships in Landover, Md.
 
Participants, led by Howard University president Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, will start the 5K at 9 a.m. on the track in the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.
 
Donations can be made by clicking here, and proceeds will go toward the Center for Sickle Cell Disease at Howard University Hospital.
 
BISON OF THE MONTH
 
Tuesday (Feb. 12), Cole and Gbai were selected Howard University Bison of the Month, sponsored by Kimpton Carlyle Hotel Dupont Circle and Kimpton Glover Park Hotel, for their incredible performances in January.
 
KAY YOW FOUNDATION
 
The Howard University women's basketball program commenced the month of February play adorned in their new pink uniforms in celebration of Play for Kay, and in support of Kay Yow and the Kay Yow Foundation.
 
In support of the KayYow Cancer Fund, the Bison women's basketball team ask that fans donate to the Howard specific foundation link. Click the link HERE to donate and learn more.
 
NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
 
The Howard University Department of Athletics and the Bison women's basketball team will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) Saturday, Feb. 16 during their 2 p.m. matchup against North Carolina A&T State.
 
HU Athletics welcomes all girls in an athletic jersey to the women's basketball game for a $1 entry fee. Groups or teams visiting without jerseys are welcomed at the $5 group rate. For ticketing details and questions, contact Ariel Germain (ariel.germain@howard.edu | 202-515-6623) or Tiana Williams (tiana.williams@howard.edu | 202-430-0141)
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.