Washington, DC-Iyanna Warren scored a game-high 18 points and Destiny Howell (5-11, JR, Queens, NY) added 15 to help Howard hold off LaSalle University 62-57 in the season opener at Burr Gymnasium.
 
The Bison (1-0) bolted out to a 23-14 lead and controlled game, leading 49-38 at the end of three.  The Explorers on the scoring Charity Shears and Gabby Crawford, closed the deficit to five late in the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run.
 
But Warren (5-3, SR, Accokeek, MD) helped pull out the hard-fought victory, converting 10 of 12 from the charity stripe.
 
The game tightly contested throughout as reflected by the statistics:  The difference may have been in points-in-the-paint where the Bison held a 16-12 edge and in fast break points, 18-12.
 
Krislyn Marsh (6-0, SR, Houston, TX) aided the cause with nine points and five rebounds.
 
LaSalle was led by Shears with 14, and Crawford and Jacobs with 10 each in a losing cause.
 
Howard travels to Memphis, TN to take on the University of Memphis at 12 noon on Saturday.