TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (February 9, 2019) – Florida A&M (FAMU) held an early double-digit lead, but the Howard University men's basketball team rallied and secured a 70-66 victory over the Rattlers inside the Al Lawson Center.
 
With the win, HU (11-13, 5-4 MEAC) ended FAMU's five-game winning streak.
 
FAMU opened with an 11-0 run, but the Bison erased its early hole with a 16-0 spurt of their own, capped off by a layup from freshman Raymond Bethea, Jr. (Atlantic City, N.J.).
 
Despite being shorthanded, Howard did the little things that kept them in the game while several Bison stepped up when called upon.
 
"We played with some different lineups [today]," said Howard Associate Head Coach Keith Coutreyer, filling in for head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "We got some good minutes out of the bench. I'm really happy for these guys."
 
Howard shot a respectable 42-percent (25-of-59) from the floor, but the squad's equalizer came behind the arc, shooting nearly 53-percent (10-of-19). Also, HU was nearly perfect from the charity stripe at 91-percent (10-of-11).
 
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. Junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) netted 15 points, including the go-ahead bucket with just a minute remaining.
 
HU scored 15 points off the bench, led by Bethea, Jr. with eight points. Second-year guard Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) added five points, including two clutch free throws down the stretch.
 
"We've lost some close games this year," Coutreyer continued. "But the guys believed in each other. It wasn't about my adjustments, [it was] the guys playing hard and never giving up."
 
Howard scored 22 points off 17 Rattler turnovers while grabbing the slight advantage in the rebounding category, 32-29.
 
Sophomore Zion Cousins (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and freshman Akuwovo Ogheneyole (Delta State, Nigeria) each had seven boards in the victory. Additionally, Cousins made his first two trey balls on the year.
 
"Sometimes, it's a matter of opportunity," Coutreyer stated. "When you get that opportunity, you seize [the moment]. Zion [Cousins] played with confidence and made shots."
 
Florida A&M (10-15, 7-3 MEAC) had four Rattlers in double figures, led by Tracy Hector and Kamron Reaves with 14 points apiece.
 
Monday (Feb. 11), Howard concludes its Florida trip in Daytona Beach, Fla. when they visit Bethune-Cookman. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the historic Moore Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.