Savannah, GA (March 2, 2019) - It was a record setting night for the Howard University women's basketball team. The Bison (17-11, 10-5 MEAC) defeated the Savannah State Tigers, 106-70, in Tiger Arena. The high score was just one point shy of tying Howard's 107-61 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore in 1994.

Tonight, multiple records were set as the team posted 13 three-pointers, the highest single game contribution for the women's team. Sophomore guard Jayla Thornton had a career-high 33 points and has set a single season record, making 89 three-pointers this season.

"Jayla knows she has the green light and is one of the best shooters I've coached," said head coach Ty Grace. "She can get hot at anytime during a game and she was on fire tonight. Her teammates did a good job of finding her and she knocked nine down effortlessly."

Thornton's career-high nine three-pointers set a school record for the women's team. Only one player in Howard basketball history has more. Former men's player, Ron Williamson, hit 11 threes in a December 2000 game versus Georgetown University.

Five Bison shot in double-digits. Sarah Edmond had 16 points, six assists, three steals and three rebounds. Krislyn Marsh posted 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and a steal. Ayonna Williams and Imani Bryant each contributed 11 points. Williams had eight assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Bryant, a three-time defensive player of the week recipient, added 11 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and an assist. Marsh is a three-time Rookie of the Week. 

Howard had 46 points in the paint and 24 fast break points. The team was successful getting 23 points off of turnovers and 21 second chance points.  

The Tigers shot 61.9 percent from the free-throw line. It was slightly better than the Bison's 59.1 percent shooting at the charity stripe. Le'Andra Gillis led Savannah with 26 points, followed by Myasia Jones. The Tigers dropped to 6-18, 4-11 MEAC.

The win gives the Bison extra momentum going into their final regular season game. Howard will face Norfolk State for the second time this season before appearing in the MEAC Tournament.

"As I said before, our team knows what's at stake and that we need to play good basketball going to the MEAC tournament. I'm proud of Jayla and I'm proud of this team. It was a great win," Grace said.

Tip-off for their final game of the season is set for 5:30 p.m. on March 7 in Norfolk, Virginia.

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.