WASHINGTON (January 6, 2020) – Howard University women's basketball team opened its three-game home stand with a loss against Bethune-Cookman (B-CU) inside Burr Gymnasium. With the setback, HU (9-6, 1-1 MEAC) suffered its first conference loss of the season.
 
Howard struggled to get into a rhythm, shooting just over 36-percent (21-of-58) from the floor.
 
Senior guard Ayonna Williams (Washington) was the lone Bison in double-figures, producing a game-high 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting at the charity stripe.
 
B-CU jumped out to an early 12-5 advantage after a put back by Amaya Scott, but the Bison fought their way back with an 11-2 run to take their first lead, capped off by a long ball from Williams, 16-14. Despite grabbing the lead, Bethune-Cookman regained the upper hand, finishing the quarter on a 4-0 spurt, 18-16.
 
Second-year guard Gia Thorpe (Pittsburgh) tied the contest moments into the second, 18-18, but B-CU held the advantage throughout. With less than two minutes before intermission, Bethune-Cookman ballooned the margin to double digits on multiple occasions, but a jumper by freshman Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) pull the Bison within eight at the break, 40-32.
 
 After halftime, Bethune-Cookman kept HU at bay and never relinquished.
 
B-CU (9-5, 1-1 MEAC) scored 30 points on 21 turnovers.
 
Scott led the Wildcats attack with 21 points, nine boards, six dimes and a pair of steals in the victory.
 
HU continues conference play with two contests inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
Saturday (Jan. 11), the Bison battle NSU at 2 p.m., followed two days later (Jan. 13) with a showdown versus the South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs. Monday's tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.