WASHINGTON (February 21, 2022) – Howard University men's basketball team dropped a tough bout to conference rival Coppin State (CSU), 86-82, inside Burr Gymnasium on ESPNU.
 
With the loss, HU saw its win streak end at six.
 
CSU (6-20, 5-6 MEAC) shot 50-percent (26-of-52) on the night, including 54-percent (15-of-28) from downtown.
 
"I give credit to Coppin State," said Howard men's basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney postgame. "They shot the ball extremely well. I give them all the credit."
 
Graduate Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.) led the Bison, tying a career-best 27 points in the setback.
 
Coppin State led throughout the first period, pushing the margin to double digits after trey ball from Sita Conteh, 37-26. HU responded and finished the half on a 5-0 run.
 
After intermission, the Eagles' hot shooting continued and ballooned the deficit to 14 with more than 12 minutes remaining, 60-46.
 
Howard refused to go away, chipping away the deficit.
 
With more than five minutes left, Foster gave the Bison their first of the game on a long ball, 65-62, but the Eagles' Mike Hood answered with a three of his own.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth monetarily, but Coppin State held off the Bison's comeback bid.
 
Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Elijah Hawkins (Washington) finished with 23 points, seven assists and four steals while redshirt sophomore Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) registered 14 points and six boards before fouling out.
 
"I'm really proud of our guys," said Blakeney added. "The last few days has been a lot and they have done a great job in representing the University, themselves and their families."
 
Hood had a game-high 28 points for the Eagles, followed by Conteh with 21 points.
 
Saturday (Feb 26), Howard takes on North Carolina Central in Washington D.C., for Senior Day. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. inside the Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.