RICHMOND, VA -The Howard University men's basketball team will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak when it takes Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 pm in the Siegel Center.  The game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN+ and live stats will be available.

The Bison (4-7) are coming off 74-65 road loss to Hampton this past Saturday, Dec. 3. In that game, Steve Settle III recorded a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jelani Williams and Jordan Wood contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, against their rival, but there was little else. It must be noted that three key players, team-leading scorer Elijah Hawkins, sophomore reseve guard Marcus Dockery and freshman forward Shy Odom, have not played the past three games due to coach's decision.

"It is important that we get consistency from Settle, Jaleni and Jordan," notes Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney. "We need to get them all in sync for us to be successful."

Despite the setbacks, the Bison continue to share the ball well as they are averaging their highest assists on baskets in recent years.

"That's a plus for us," explains Blakeney, referring to the team's assist-to-basket statistic. "It is important for us to play that way since we do not have a lot of players who can break you down on offense. We have finishers, either to hit open shots or score around the basket."

In the Rams (5-4), Howard faces a team that has lost two in a row, the latest a 73-62 home loss to Jacksonville on Wednesday.  VCU is 4-1 at home this season.

The Rams are led by junior guard Adrian Baldwin, who leads the team in scoring (15.6), in assists (6.0 per game) and in steals (19 on the season).  Others who will get Howard's attention include graduate forward Brandon John, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), sophomore guard Jayden Nunn (10.4 ppg) and red-shirt sophomore forward Jamir Watkins (9.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

"It does not matter what their record is at this point in the season," says Blakeney. "They are still VCU and they have a brand that everyone is familiar with, no matter who the coach is. It is a tough environment and we know that we will be in a dogfight for 40 minutes. But I am excited. It is these type of challenges that helps our program and in terms of where we are trying to get to."

SERIES RECORD: The two teams met for the only time in 2016, in Richmond, and the Rams came away with an 85-51 win.

NEXT UP: The Bison return home on Tuesday, Dec. 13 where they will host Florida International University (FIU) at 8 pm. The game will air live on HBCU GoTV.