WASHINGTON (November 26, 2021) – With less than three ticks remaining, Austin Peay's (APSU) Elijah Hutchins-Everett scored the game-winning bucket to down the Howard University men's basketball team, 69-67, at Burr Gymnasium.
 
With the setback, HU (4-3) suffered its first home loss of the season while the Govs moved above .500 (3-2).
 
"They're a good program," said Howard men's basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney after the game. "They're coming off a big win at Dayton. I was concerned about this game, but we have to do a better job in preparing our guys."
 
Guards Tai Bibbs (Chicago) and Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) led the way with 12 points apiece while reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week Elijah Hawkins (Washington) added 11 points, six dimes, five boards and five steals (career-high) in a losing effort.
 
Both squads went back-and-forth in the first 20 minutes of action with neither club holding a lead no more than four points.
 
With less than two minutes before intermission, Hawkins made layup and gave the Bison a three-point advantage, 34-31, until APSU's Carlos Paez drilled a long ball and tied the contest, 34-34.
 
Austin Peay's Cameron Copeland scored on a layup and put the Govs ahead at halftime, 36-34.
 
Howard created some separation after the break, holding an eight-point lead, 59-51, thanks to a layup from senior Deven Richmond (Bowie, Md.).
 
Despite the lead, APSU gradually chipped away and tied the game after fast break trey ball by Tariq Silver, 62-62.
 
In the waning moments, both clubs were deadlocked at 67 until Hutchins-Everett scored and gave the Govs a slim lead with 2.8 seconds remaining.
 
After a 60-second timeout, Richmond inbounded the ball to Foster for a turnaround game-winning three-pointer but missed off the rim.
 
HU outrebounded the Govs, 40-26, including 17 offensive boards, but committed 24 turnovers.
 
"We had 24 turnovers and 13 assists," Blakeney added. "You can't beat anyone with 24 turnovers and 13 assists. When you're playing a lot of young guys, you have to take the good with the bad sometimes."
 
Copeland led all scorers with 16 points, followed by 14 points from Silver. Hutchins-Everett notched a double-double (14 points & 10 rebounds) in the win.
 
Howard squares off against Mount St. Mary's (Md.) Tuesday (Nov. 30) inside Knott Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.