WASHINGTON (February 19, 2019) – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University men's basketball team could not overcome North Carolina Central's (NCCU) hot shooting as they fell in a high scoring affair, 98-90, inside The Burr on Senior Night.
 
Despite HU (12-15, 6-6 MEAC) shooting 52-percent (35-of-67), NCCU (13-14, 8-5 MEAC) shot even better over 59-percent (32-of-54) from the floor, including 48-percent (10-of-21) behind the arc.
 
A dunk by North Carolina Central's Raasean Davis gave the Eagles their biggest lead of the first half, 43-30, with 5:54 to go before intermission, but the Bison refused to fold.
 
Sophomore RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) made a layup to jump start the rally, followed by a steal and throw down tomahawk jam by junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.); thus, cutting the deficit to single digits with less than five minutes before halftime, 43-34.
 
After trailing by 13, Howard went on a 10-1 run spurt and tied the contest, 44-44, thanks to a layup by Cole.
 
With time dwindling before intermission, junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.) gave the Bison a 50-49 halftime lead.
 
HU closed out the half outscoring NCCU 20-6 in the final 5:54.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth to start the second half.
 
Williams' three ball tied the game at 64 with 13:26 to play, but Blount's layup on the following possession gave the lead back to the Eagles for good.
 
The Bison shot 17-of-21 from the foul line while scoring 26 points off 18 Eagles turnovers.
 
Cole finished with a team-high 26 points, five assists, and four boards while Williams and Lott added 24 and 18, respectively.
 
For NCCU, Blount had a game-high 31 points and seven rebounds to pace the Eagles.
 
Before the game, Coach Nickelberry and the men's basketball program recognized seniors Justin Cotten (Clinton, Md.), Cameron Lewis (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Jalen Jones (Kinston, N.C.) for their hard work and dedication on and off the court. Cotten and Jones each started the game in place of Cole and second-year forward Zion Cousins (Upper Marlboro, Md.). Lewis did not play due to injury.
 
The Bison travel to Baltimore to take on Coppin State Saturday (Feb. 23) and Morgan State Monday (Feb. 25).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.