ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLAND (November 21, 2022) – Howard University men's basketball D.C. natives sophomores Elijah Hawkins and Marcus Dockery each scored 15 points, but it was not enough to counter the hot shooting of Belmont University as the Bison fell, 96-73, in the Paradise Jam Invitational.  The Bison (3-5) finished in sixth place in the tournament.
 
The Bruins (3-3) bolted out to the early double-digit lead and forced Howard to play catchup the entire game. Belmont opened a 19-point lead late in the first half, but the scrappy Bison finished with a 6-0 flurry to cut the deficit to a workable 47-34 at the half.
 
Belmont was able to increase its lead with more hot shooting (58-percent from the field) while also knocking down shots from beyond the arc (67-percent on 8-of-12).
 
With Dockery and junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio) each tallying eight points after intermission, the Bison made a valiant attempt to get within striking distance, but each time Belmont got baskets from Ben Sheppard, who led all scorers with 27 points and three of his mates also registered double figures.
 
Throughout the contest, 15 Bison saw action, who outscored their opponent 36-21 in bench points.  Howard also had another fine performance from the free throw line, connecting on 19-of-22 for 86-percent.
 
Hawkins again led the Bison in assists with five. Redshirt forward Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) finished with six points, under his average of 12.6 ppg. Junior forward Reece Brown (Albany, N.Y.) and freshman Ose Okojie (Brampton, Canada) each tallied five off the bench.
 
Howard gets a few days off before traveling to Clarksville, Tenn. to take on Austin Peay State in a nonconference match Saturday (Nov. 26). The game will tip off at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.