NORFOLK, Va. (January 13, 2023) - The Howard University men's basketball team will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 82-73 loss to Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on the road Monday (Jan. 9) when it travels to Norfolk, Va., to take on Norfolk State University (NSU) Saturday (Jan. 14) at 4 p.m. in Echols Hall.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
The game will be broadcast on HBCU League Pass Plus and there will be live stats available.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
In Monday's loss at UMES, the Bison fell behind by as many as 18 early in the third period but rebounded with a furious rally in the final 20 minutes, outscoring the host, 50-44, only to fall just short, 82-73.
 
"We got knocked for a loop in the first half against UMES," said Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney in his fourth season. "Our inexperience playing on the road in our first conference game showed. Once we regrouped, we played a better second half. We must give UMES credit; they did what they had to do to. We have to be better prepared."
 
After shooting 30-percent (7-of-23) from the field in the first half, the Bison shot nearly 60-percent (13-of-22) from the field in the second stanza, including 43-percent (6-of-14) from three.
 
The loss took away from a career-performance by graduate guard Jelani Williams (Washington), who scored a career-high 23 points on a perfect shooting night (6-of-6) from the field, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Howard (8-10, 1-1 in the MEAC) got 17 points from sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington), 13 points from redshirt junior Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) and nine points from freshman forward Shy Odom (Chestnut Hill, Mass.).
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
SERIES RECORD
 
Howard has lost five-in-a-row to the Spartans and trail 17-5 in the series, dating back to 2006. The most recent setback was an 83-61 decision in Norfolk, Va. (March 3, 2022). The last time the Bison won was a thrilling 98-95 decision at Norfolk State (March7, 2019).
 
HOWARD
 
Entering the weekend, Howard is second in free throw shooting (72-percent) behind Norfolk State (74-percent).
 
Individually, Hawkins ranks among the conference leaders in several categories: assists (4.6 apg/3^rd), free throw percentage (81-percent/4^th), steals (1.7/6^th), scoring (13.1 ppg/7^th), assist/turnover ratio (1.2/8^th) and three-point field goals made (1.5/9^th).
 
Settle leads the conference in free throw percentage (86-percent) and sits tied for ninth in blocked shots (0.7) and 10^th in scoring (12.0 ppg).
 
Second-year guard Bison Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) is tied for ninth in blocked shots and junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio) is fourth in three pointers made (1.9).
 
Odom, who has been named MEAC Rookie of the Week four times, has reached double figures six times, including four straight (Dec. 13 to Dec. 29).
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
In Norfolk State (12-5, 2-0 in the MEAC), Howard faces a daunting task. NSU has played three nationally ranked teams (Baylor, UCLA and Houston) this season.
 
The veteran Spartans team, which has won back-to-back tournament titles, are led by their senior guard Joe Bryant, Jr, who is the reigning and preseason Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year. Bryant gets plenty of support from graduate forward Kris Bankston (13.2 ppg), redshirt junior guard Cahlem Brown (10.9 ppg) and junior guard Christian Ings (10.1 ppg), who all average in double figures.

The Spartans are a 19-game home win streak, including their most recent win over Delaware State Monday (Jan. 9), 78-65.
 
"The MEAC is a very physical league," notes Blakeney. "We have to do a better job of matching physicality. Norfolk State is a very good basketball team, so we have to be prepared to get off to a better start and play well."
 
Norfolk State leads the conference in free throw percentage (74-percent), field goal percentage defense (40-percent) and in assist/turnover ratio (1.16).
 
Individually, Krish Bankston leads the MEAC in field goal percentage (72-percent), blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and sixth in scoring (13.2 ppg).
 
NEXT UP
 
The Bison have a short turnaround as they take on Morehouse College Monday (Jan. 16) for the annual MLK Classic at 7 p.m. in Burr. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.