VILLANOVA, Pa. (November 16, 2021) – Howard University men's basketball team put on a shooting clinic in front of national broadcasted audience on FS2, but fell on the road at No. 5 Villanova, 100-81, at Finneran Pavilion.
 
With the loss, HU suffered its first setback of the season (3-1) while the Wildcats improved to 2-1 overall.
 
On the night, Howard shot 57-percent (30-of-53) against the fifth ranked team in the nation, including 50-percent (12-of-24) from downtown.
 
Four Bison reached double figures, led by graduate Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) with 19 points off the bench. The Virginia native went 7-for-12 from the field, including 5-for-9 beyond the arc.
 
Villanova jumped out to an early 16-9 lead, but HU kept it close throughout the first period.
 
With under eight minutes left before intermission, redshirt sophomore Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) made a step back jumper and pulled the Bison within two, 26-24.
 
After a media timeout, the Wildcats built momentum and ballooned the lead back to double digits with more than two minutes remaining before the break, 48-35, but Howard finished the half on a 9-4 run to cut the margin to a single-digit halftime deficit, 52-44.
 
Villanova pounced on HU after intermission, going on a 7-2 run while extending the lead to 15 points, 59-44. But HU refused to go away, chipping at the deficit.
 
With more 12 minutes remaining, Foster connected on a pull up jumper and sliced the margin back to single digits, 68-60, but the Wildcats went into second gear.
 
Villanova went on a 19-3 spurt in a matter of moments and held its largest lead with more than six minutes left in the game, 87-63.
 
Howard continued to battle through the final whistle, outscoring the Wildcats 18-13 in the final six minutes.
 
Freshman Elijah Hawkins (Washington), reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, posted his first career double-double with 16 points and 11 dimes.
 
Graduate Tai Bibbs (Chicago) added 16 points while Settle finished the night with 13 points in the loss.
 
Brandon Slater and Collin Gillespie led the Wildcats, ending with 23 points and 21 points, respectively.
 
On Nov. 20-21, Howard travels to High Point, N.C., for the Legends Classic, hosted by High Point University. The four-team tourney includes HU, Georgia State, William & Mary and the host Panthers.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.