SAVANNAH, Ga. (March 2, 2019) – Howard University men's basketball team held off a late charge by Savannah State (SSU) to earn its first 15-win season in four years after an 81-76 victory over the Tigers.
 
"Entering the season, we wanted to win at least 15 games," said Howard men's basketball head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "The program has only had four 15-win seasons since 1990 and we've had two of those [seasons] since I've been here."
 
With the win, HU (15-15, 9-6 MEAC) grabbed its seventh straight road victory.
 
Howard utilized the long ball early and often, connecting on 13 three-pointers at 48-percent (13-of-27).
 
"They dared us to made threes," Nickelberry continued. "RJ [Cole], CJ [Charles Williams] and Kyle [Foster] made shots. It was important for us to make shots."
 
Junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) and sophomores RJ Cole (Union, N.J.) and Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) drilled 11 trey balls on the night.
 
HU held a 42-34 advantage at the break, but SSU opened the second half on a 12-3 spurt and took the lead after a layup from Jaquan Dotson, 46-45.
 
Shortly after, redshirt senior Jalen Jones (Kinston, N.C.) found sophomore Zion Cousins (Upper Marlboro, Md.) for a two-handed slam to reclaim the upper hand, 47-46.
 
Howard pulled away and held its largest advantage after a jumper from Lott with 3:15 remaining, 70-55, but the Tigers refused to go away.
 
Savannah State cut the deficit to single digits, but Foster and Cousins delivered clutch freebies down the stretch.
 
"We made big free throws down the stretch," Nickelberry added. "Kyle [Foster] and Zion [Cousins] made big free throws. We did what was needed to win."
 
Five Bison reached double figures, led by Cole with a game-high 23 points. Williams netted 15 points while Lott recorded his first double-double in a Bison uniform with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Foster scored 11 points off the bench and Cousins nearly had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight boards.
 
For SSU (10-19, 7-8 MEAC), they had four Tigers with double figures, led by Zaquavian Smith with 21 points.
 
Thursday (March 7), Howard concludes the regular season at Norfolk State. Tip-off at 8 p.m. inside Echols Memorial Hall.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.