WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Howard University Bison defense came alive in the fourth quarter, holding the Delaware State University Lady Hornets to 23 percent (4-for-17) shooting from the floor, to tie first place in the Northern Division with the 66-57 victory in Burr Gymnasium.

With the victory, Howard improves to 10-3 overall and 6-2 overall, while Delaware State falls to 3-10 overall and 2-6 MEAC. 

The Bison struggled offensively in the first half, shooting 0-for-9 from long range and 11-of-32 from the floor. 

Delaware State controlled the pace after taking a 12-10 lead on a Janasia Law jump shot, which triggered a 9-4 run in the final four minutes of the first quarter to take a 19-14 advantage after one.

In the second quarter, DSU held on to their five-point lead after a back-and-forth affair, and the offenses shot 33 percent from the floor. The Bison went into halftime down 33-28. Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, MD) and Anzhane' Hutton (Cedar Hill, TX) paced the Bison in the first half, scoring seven points. Hutton added seven rebounds and two blocks.

Howard came out of intermission on a mission, creating a turnover and a Jayla Thornton (Newark, NJ) sinking her first three-pointer of the game to spark a 9-4 run to tie the game at 37, three minutes into the fourth quarter. 

The two squads would trade baskets the next six minutes to end the third quarter tied at 49.  

The Lady Hornets jumped out to an early 53-49 lead when Hutton stopped the bleeding with a putback layup to spark a 15-2 run over the next six and a half minutes to take a commanding 64-55 lead and put DSU away with 1:33 left in regulation. 

BY THE NUMBERS:

• The Bison is in a first-place tie in the Northern Division.
• Krislyn Marsh (Houston, Tx.) scored a game-high 18 pts, a season-high
• Hutton recorded her third double-double of the season with 11pts and 15rebs (a career-high); she added two blocks, two assists, and a steal. She is averaging 9.2 rebounds a game tied for second in the MEAC, and her 119 total rebounds lead the league.
• Warren recorded her third straight game scoring in double-figures, recording 14pts and five assists.
• In the second half, Howard shot 46.7 percent (14-of-30) from the floor. 
• Howard defense held Delaware State to 4-of-17 (23%) shooting from the floor. 
• Six straight win over Delaware State 
• Howard scoring offense ranks second in scoring (68.2ppg), second in field goal percentage (.367), field goal pct defense (.342)
• Howard's defense leads the league in defensive rebounds (28.8rpg) 
• Jayla Thornton was held to seven points, ranks third in the league (14.5ppg)

WORDS FROM HEAD COACH TY GRACE:

on thoughts on the game

"... we came out pretty sluggish in the first half, we did not have the same energy that Delaware State had in the first two quarters, and they definitely had more energy than we did..."

on having a target on their back

"...absolutely, when you are shy of first place, and you've beaten teams a couple of times. People definitely have put a target on your back; number one, people want to beat you, they want to beat the top team, and I would do the same thing..."

4th quarter play

"... it was all about defense, we had to defend and play with that energy level, we had a totally different energy in the second half, we defended better we started stopping their drives, and we had a couple of slips in the gap, I think we did a better job defensively..."

On Hutton performance

"... again she is relentless, once she gets going, it's hard to stop and guard her. She is a match-up problem for people; once she is determined to go, she gets it done..."

On Marsh 18pts output

"...the injury gave her time to think about things, and her role on the team, and what she wants to do and contribute when she came back. She has done a great job inserting herself into our offense, and when she goes into the game, she is ready to go every time. She has played great the last few games, and I am proud of where she is at..."

On Howard weekend off

"...just rest, we are going to rest and take a couple of days off. We are going to watch the film, and reevaluate what we did when we played them last time, probably make some adjustments. But, rest is the biggest thing, because playing back-to-back has been tough, and been a big adjustment, but the [team] has managed it very well..."

UP NEXT:

Howard will have the weekend off before heading to Baltimore to face Coppin State University Lady Eagles Feb. 20-21 at the Physical Education Complex Arena. The Lady Eagles are 2-6 in conference play and 2-8 overall. Howard defeated Coppin St. in January, [60-52, 1/16 and 60-51, 1/17]. Both games are scheduled for a 1pm tip-off. 

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