WASHINGTON (December 12, 2022) - The Howard University men's basketball team looks to end a three-game skid when it hosts Florida International University (FIU) Tuesday (Dec. 13). The game will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be aired on the HBCU Go Network (hbcugo.tv).
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can watch the contest FREE on the HBCU Go Network (hbcugo.tv) or download the HBCU GO TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire and/or Apple TV. You can also watch HBCU Go channel free on streaming apps Local Now, The Grio, Sports.tv or check your local listings.
 
Fans can also follow via live stats.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison (4-8) have a quick turnaround after playing at VCU in Richmond, Va. Sunday (Dec. 11).
 
In that game, Howard had one of its better defensive efforts of the season as it held the Rams without a field goal over the last six minutes of the game. 
 
There was ample offense from redshirt junior forward Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md./18 points), sophomore guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y./13 points) and junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio/12 points), but Howard was not able to take advantage of the terrific defense as it missed out on numerous opportunities to come away with the win.
 
"I give our defense a lot of credit," said Howard head coach Kenneth Blakeney. "Sometimes, statistics can be misleading and even though they did not score from the field, you have to look at the points-in-the-paint area (34), points off turnovers (23) and their second half free throw attempts (10-of-15). That was the determining factor."
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
THE SERIES: The two teams met on November 21, 2003 in Miami where the Bison came away with a 61-55 victory.
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison will need more production from reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Year sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington), who scored only three points, almost 10 points under his season average, along with the bench, where it was outscored, 23-10.
 
Graduate guard Jelani Williams (Washington) continues to make his mark on the team in several areas: team leader in total steals (18) and second in total assists (31) while averaging almost 9.0 points.
 
There were signs in the VCU loss that the Bison bench is beginning to get production from redshirt freshman forward Miles Stewart (Orlando, Fla.) and freshman forward Shy Odom (Chatsworth, Calif.).
 
"Because Miles has been around the game with his father (former NBA veteran Yogi Stewart), he gets it," said Blakeney. "He is fearless, tough and athletic. He played 16 minutes (at VCU) and had six rebounds and was part of our defensive effort in the second half."
 
As for Odom, Blakeney notes, "Shy, like Miles, brings a different dimension to how we play. He is really skilled and tough as well."
 
FIU
 
In FIU (4-4), the Bison face a team that comes into the game having lost two-in-a-row, including a 74-65 road defeat to Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 4). They are led by sophomore guard Denver Jones (17.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and freshmen guards Arturo Dean (13.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Dashon Gittens (9.0 ppg).
 
"The good thing about prepping for FIU with a short preparation time is that the coach at VCU (Mike Rhoades) and at FIU (Jeremy Ballard) are disciples of Shaka Smart (current head coach at Marquette)," Blakeney explained. "Their philosophies on how they want to play is similar. We just have to be prepared and continue to get better each game."
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Howard travels to Cambridge, Mass., to take on Harvard Sunday (Dec. 18) at noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.