WASHINGTON (January 25, 2020) – Howard University women's basketball team held off Florida A&M (FAMU), 72-58, inside The Burr after pulling away late in the fourth quarter.
 
With the win, HU (11-8) moved back to .500 in league play while the Lady Rattlers fell to 4-14 (2-5 MEAC) on the year.
 
Senior guard Ayonna Williams (Washington) led the way, producing a game-high 25 points, five boards, four steals and a pair of dimes in the victory. With her efforts, the D.C. product is only two points away from reaching 1,000 career points.
 
FAMU opened the fourth period on a 7-0 run and sliced the margin down to a one-possession game, 49-46, with eight minutes remaining, but the Bison would answer.
 
With only six minutes left in regulation, HU expanded its advantage back to double digits, thanks to a 9-2 spurt, 58-48, but another trey ball from FAMU's Alaina Rice cut the deficit down to seven, 58-51.
 
From that point on, Williams, sophomore Krislyn Marsh (Duncanville, Texas) and freshman Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.), took turns delivering the knockout blows while putting the contest out-of-reach. Collectively, the three Bison scored 21-of-the-team's 23 points in the fourth quarter.
 
On the day, Marsh finished with 16 points, seven rebounds (team-best) and three steals while the Maryland native added 10 points off the bench.
 
Second-year guard Gia Thorpe (Pittsburgh) made her first collegiate start for the injured Sarah Edmond (Freeport, N.Y.) where she registered 11 points and a career-high six steals in the win.
 
Rice led the Lady Rattlers with 22 points in a losing effort.

At halftime, nearly two dozen Bison returned to The Mecca where they were recognized during Alumni weekend.
 
Monday (Jan. 27), Howard travels back to Baltimore where the Coppin State Eagles await. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside PEC Arena.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.