WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard University men's basketball team fought to the final second, falling 87-83 to the Florida A&M University Rattlers in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) action Saturday evening in Burr Gymnasium.


Howard falls to 2-19 overall, and 0-6 in MEAC play.


The Bison went to a 2-for-1 strategy in the waning minutes and almost paid off with six seconds left down 85-83, until the Rattlers missed both of their free-throw attempts but could not secure the rebound giving FAMU another opportunity to secure the victory.


The Rattlers opened the contest with a long-range bomb from beyond the arc to take the early 3-0 lead.


Undeterred Howard's top scorer Charles Williams answered back with a long-range connection to tie the game.


Howard took the lead on a Kyle Foster steal and layup at the 16:38 mark.


Florida A&M took control of the first half with a 22-9 run over five minutes to take a 31-19 lead with 9:42 remaining in the first half.


Both squads would go point for point (16-16) the rest of the way, with Howard sinking the buzzer-beater from beyond the arc, cutting the lead to 47-35.


The Bison opened the second half much like they finished the first half, connecting on a long shot, sparking an 18-2 run to take a 53-49 lead on a Khalil Robinson layup with 15:39 left in the intermission.


The Rattlers answered with an 11-7 run to even the score at 60 with 9:40 remaining.


FAMU took the lead on the ensuing free throw and did not surrender the lead, despite Howard's tieing the game at 63, holding off the Bison going 24-20 the rest of the way.


Howard got within two points twice, but could not capitalize on their 2-for-1 strategy, falling in heartbreak fashion 87-83.


Charles Williams paced the Bison with 21 points, his ninth game this season with 20+ points a feat he has accomplished 50 times over his Bison career.


Nate Garvey (16), Wayne Bristol Jr. (13), and Kalil Robinson (11) all scored double-figures.


Garvey, Williams, Robinson, Bristol Jr. combined for 45 second-half points.


Robinson added nine assists and three steals. Zion Cousins tied the game-high recording eight rebounds.


Howard shot .526 percent (30-of-57) from the floor their second-highest output of the season. The Bison recorded a season-best 13-of-13 from the charity stripe.


FAMU controlled the offensive board outscoring Howard 20-2 in second-chance points.


UP NEXT:

Howard travels to Baltimore to face Coppin State University (5-16, 1-5 MEAC) Monday, January 27 for a 7:30 pm tipoff at the PEC Arena.