WASHINGTON (December 19, 2020) - In case you have not noticed, the Howard University women's basketball team is off to a 3-0 start, which is their best start in 16 years. This has come as a surprise when you factor that the team lost four starters from last season and is relying heavily on players who are either freshmen or sophomores with limited experience.
 
"Coming into the season, I knew we had a talented group, but with COVID-19 and all the restrictions and adjustments we had to make, it added concerns," says Howard head coach Ty Grace. "But to be where we are at this point early in the season is certainly a pleasant surprise."
 
Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.), the only senior and preseason all-conference selection, along with the return of junior forward Krislyn Marsh (Houston) and junior guard Gia Thorpe (Pittsburgh), were projected to be the nucleus of the team that would help accelerate the development of the young squad, comprised of seven freshmen and three sophomores.
 
But Marsh and Thorpe, who averaged 16.7 points between them last season, both suffered preseason injuries, leaving Thornton as the team leader.
 
Much to her "pleasant surprise", Anzhane' Hutton (Cedar Hill, Texas), Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.), Makayla Minett (Chicago), Brooklynn Fort-Davis (Chicago), Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) and Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) stepped up and put on unexpected performances.
 
Hutton, a 6-0 freshman forward from Cedar Hill, Texas, set the tone early. In the opener against Mount Saint Mary's, she made her debut hitting eight of her nine shots from the floor for 18 points and six rebounds. She then followed up with her first double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 23-point come-from-behind win at LaSalle.
 
She is currently connecting over 77-percent (17-of-22) shooting from the floor while leading the team in rebounding with 9.0 per game and is tied for second in scoring (14.7 ppg). For her efforts, she has been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week and the MEAC Newcomer of the Week by the Black College Sports Page.
 
"She goes hard on the court," says Grace. "She's fearless and seems unfazed by the opponent or who she is playing against. I love watching her play."
 
A 5-11 forward from Seat Pleasant, Md., Creek leads the team in scoring at almost 16 points per game while averaging 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks as a reserve.
 
She registered her first double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds versus La Salle and promptly followed with a career-high 23 points to lead the Bison to another comeback win over Atlantic 10 foe George Washington (GW), which earned her the Black College Sports Page Player of the Week and the MEAC Rookie of the Week.
 
"She is like a silent assassin," notes Grace. "She doesn't say much. She just goes out and quietly gets it done."
 
Minett, a 6-3 sophomore from Chicago, played sparingly last season and has been asked to come in and replace last year's center, Imani Bryant, who was an accomplished rebounder and post presence defender.
 
"She is an effective shot blocker and strong rebounder," says Grace of Minett. "Her size and skills have been key in this start."

Minett averages four points and almost four rebounds, but she has five blocked shots in the three contests.
 
Fort Davis is a 5-11 athletic power forward from Chicago, who showed flashes early last season during considerable playing time. She has come on strong early and posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds in the win over GW. She is averaging almost nine points and eight rebounds per game.
 
"She enjoys her role in coming off the bench to give us rebounding and strong defense," says Grace. "And she has a nice face up and drive game that I think she will eventually show as she gains more confidence on offense."
 
Warren, a sophomore from Accokeek, Md., has big shoes to fill, replacing All-MEAC performer Ayonna Williams, who ran the point for four seasons. She got considerable playing time last season, and as with most freshmen who play the demanding position, she had her ups and downs.
 
But despite the statistical contributions of her teammates, Warren has been a key factor in their success. Her leadership and ability to distribute and run the team has been a key factor in the early victories. Her free throw shooting down the stretch in the wins has been especially crucial as she has hit her last 12 in a row.
 
"The thing about Iyanna is that she may make a turnover or a mistake, but she has the ability to stay the course and come right back with right decision or play at the right time," says Grace.
 
Warren is averaging 9.3 points and 5.1 assists per game this season.
 
Howell is a 5-11 freshman from Queens, N.Y., who has started all three games and is contributing 4.3 points per outing.
 
As for Thornton, she continues to be one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in women's college basketball. She set the tone early with 26 points in the opener over Mount Saint Mary's and then eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in her career against La Salle. She is the school's all-time three-point shooter and needs just 23 to become the career leader in MEAC history.
 
Yet, being the only senior on the squad, her role has changed from being primarily a weapon in the arsenal to increased responsibilities.
 
"I have had to make some adjustments," admits Thornton, who holds a 3.8 GPA. "With the team from last season, there were upperclassmen who had played together for at least three years. Basically, I just did what I need to contribute."
 
She continues. "But now with so many young and new players, I have to pay attention to detail and in addition I have to play my role. To be honest, it has been easier than I thought. Being young and inexperienced may have some advantages. This group seems to have a lot of poise and they play hard and never give up."
 
Coach Grace credits her team captain with the team's success.
 
"Everyone knows of her reputation as a scorer," says Grace. "She gets a lot of attention from opponents, especially now with so many young players. But she understands that there will be times that she will not get the shots she normally gets. But because of her, the other players have benefitted from her attention. She has become much more vocal. I could not ask more from her."
 
HU looks to remain unbeaten when they travel to Farmville, Va., to face Longwood. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all the action on ESPN+ and/or live stats.
 
Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.