WASHINGTON (February 1, 2020) – Howard University women's basketball team was unable to overcome its third quarter shooting woes as they fell to conference rival Morgan State (MSU), 52-68, inside Burr Gymnasium. With the setback, HU (12-9) dropped to .500 (4-4) midway through league play.
 
Moments after intermission, senior guard Ayonna Williams (Washington) made HU's lone bucket in the period. Howard tallied three points in the quarter, all from the D.C. native.
 
As a result, the Lady Bears fought their way back into the contest and outscored HU, 3-14, in the quarter and 18-41 after halftime.
 
Williams and second-year guard Gia Thorpe (Pittsburgh) led the Bison attack with 12 points apiece while junior Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) added 11 points in the loss.
 
HU scored 23 points off turnovers while forcing 26 Lady Bears errors.
 
Howard led after one, 22-15, and held its largest lead with more than four minutes left before halftime, 33-21, thanks to a mid-range jumper by third-year forward Curstyn Moore (Mount Vernon, N.Y.).
 
MSU (11-11, 7-2 MEAC) fought back and closed out the half on a 6-1 spurt to cut the margin down to single digits, 34-27.
 
Senior guard Sarah Edmond (Freeport, N.Y.) missed her third straight game due to injury, but fellow classmate Imani Bryant (Berkeley, Calif.) started after suffering a medical matter Monday (Jan. 27) at Coppin State. The California product played 14 minutes while grabbing five rebounds.
 
Chelsea Mitchell flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 14 boards and eight steals in the victory.

Saturday's Theme was Play 4 Kay in honor of the late Sandra Kay Yow, who passed away from Stage 4 Breast Cancer in 2009. Howard wore Pink jerseys in honor of cancer survivors and fans were encouraged to join the fight by wearing pink to the game.
 
Monday (Feb. 3), HU takes on Coppin State before their five-game road swing. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside The Burr.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.