WASHINGTON (December 28, 2022) – The Howard University men's basketball team will look to extend its current win streak to four when it hosts La Salle University Thursday (December 29) in Burr Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
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.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
SERIES RECORD
 
LaSalle leads the series, 6-1, including an 81-66 victory, back in 2009. The Bison's lone victory, 69-63, came on November 20, 2007.
 
HOWARD
 
In Wednesday's victory over Mount St. Mary's (MSM), Howard held off a determined MSM's team, using a Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) basket off a missed shot to eke out the win. It was Settle's only points of the game, but it is his other parts of his constant expanding game that played a big role in the win. The 6-foot-10 redshirt junior collected 10 rebounds (game-high) and helped the Bison defense continue to improve during this current stretch.
 
"He's only played two years in the last seven," notes Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney of his budding star. "He's constantly adding facets to his game. The thing I like most is him now taking on the challenge of being a better rebounder and defender, who draws the other team's best offensive player. He is gaining more confidence each time out."
 
Equally important in the win was the play of three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week recipient freshman Shy Odom (Chestnut Hill, Mass.), who again set the tone and led the team in scoring. The highly-ranked 6-foot-6 forward is steadily proving to be an important cog in the Howard offense as it finds its identity.
 
"He's played on a big stage before as one of the top 10-20 players in the country," says Blakeney. "He does a lot of things well that can impact the game for us."
 
Odom played his prep ball at perennial powerhouse Sierran Canyon Prep.
 
The Bison have developed good balance as the season has progressed, including seven players averaging between eight and 13 points, led by second-year Bison Elijah Hawkins (Washington) with 12.5 points per game.
 
"This is a group that is fun to coach," Blakeney continued. "They don't care about who scored how many points. They play together to win."
 
LA SALLE
 
La Salle (5-7) comes into the game having lost three-in-a-row, the latest a 90-65 home loss to Lafayette (December 21).
 
The Explorers are led by sophomore guard Khalil Bramley (12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, leads team with 39 total assists), senior guard Josh Nickelberry (11.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg), junior guard Anwar Gill (9.3 ppg, second on team with 38 total assists and 14 total steals) and senior forward Hassan Drame (8.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, leads team with 15 total steals).
 
"They are going to come in with a chip," Blakeney expressed. "They just lost to a team that had only two wins at home, so they are going to be hungry and play well against us."
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison (7-8) are coming off a thrilling 63-62 win over Mount Saint Mary's (MSM) at home Wednesday (Dec. 21).
 
GAME NOTES
 
La Salle's Gill played his high school ball at Gonzaga College High School in D.C., the same school as Bison Assistant Coach Tyler Thornton.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Howard gets a few days off before hosting Delaware State (January 7) at 4 p.m. in its MEAC opener at Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.