WASHINGTON (December 21, 2022) – Howard University redshirt junior forward Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) had missed all six shots from the floor, but came though when it counted most, scoring on a putback with 12 seconds remaining to help the Bison edge out Mount St. Mary's (MSM), 63-62, in a nonconference game at Burr Gymnasium.
 
The win improved the Bison's record to 7-8 on the season.
 
The Mountaineers (5-8) rallied from 10 down twice to take the lead, 62-61, with 30 seconds remaining. On their ensuing possession, the Bison worked for a go-ahead shot. They failed to convert but Settle managed to somehow get the offensive rebound to turnaround an eight-foot shot to give Howard the lead.
 
Mount St. Mary's called their final timeout and set up the potential game-winner, but the Howard defense responded twice in the last eight seconds, forcing a difficult shot in the first attempt that was defended well by Shy Odom (Chestnut Hill, Md.) and the second, which ended in a missed shot attempt and a defensive rebound as the buzzer ended and the Bison would walk away with a hard-fought victory.
 
Odom, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, was a big factor in the win over Harvard Sunday (Dec. 18). He played a key role in helping Howard to victory with his 10 first half points and junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio) and sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington) each adding eight points.
 
The Bison held an 11-point advantage before Mount St. Mary's rallied with a late surge, led by Dakota Leffew, who scored 11 of his game-high 23 points and reduce the margin to a one-possession contest, 31-29, at intermission.
 
Then, came what was a key point in the game, Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney, upset with the play of his starting five, pulled the entire unit two minutes into the half. It turned out to be great strategy as the reserves, led by sophomore guard Marcus Dockery (Washington), scored 10 points among them to rebuild the lead to 12.
 
But the scrappy Mountaineers, led by Leffew, along with Xavier Lipscomb, George Tinsley and Malik Jefferson combined to get their team back in it.
 
The Bison bench outscored their opponents, 25-12, and that proved to be the difference, along with Settle's johnny-on-the-spot play.
 
Odom finished with six rebounds, along with team-high 14 points, Woods contributed nine points and seven rebounds and Hawkins with 13 points and six assists.
 
Howard hosts LaSalle Wednesday (Dec. 28) at 2 p.m. inside The Burr.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.