NORFOLK, Va. (January 13, 2023) - Although it's early in the conference schedule, the next two conference games for the Howard University women's basketball team could tell a lot about the race. It starts Saturday (Jan. 14) when the Bison travel to Norfolk, Va., to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State (NSU) at 2 p.m. in Echols Hall. 
 
The game will be broadcast on HBCU League Pass Plus and there will be live stats available.
 
The Bison (6-9, 2-0 in the MEAC), the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champions, are coming off a 56-47 road win at Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Jan. 9). 
 
In that contest, Howard parlayed the hot shooting of graduate guard Aziah Hudson (Massapequa, N.Y.), the all-around play of senior forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis (Chicago) and a surprising, but much-needed contribution from sophomore guard Nyla Cooper (Fayetteville, N.C.) off the bench.
 
Hudson, who has been the team's most consistent player this season, stepped up offensively and put on an impressive shooting display, connecting on 6-of-9 from long range en route to a career-high 21 points.
 
In the first half, the New York native scored 17 points to carry the team. After intermission, the Bison had one of its best team defensive third quarter efforts of the season, holding the host in check while riding the offensive play of Fort-Davis (17 points & nine rebounds) and Cooper (12 points) that allowed for some separation and pull out the win, their third straight.
 
It is important to note that Destiny Howell, the junior All-MEAC guard who leads the conference in scoring (15.2 ppg), finished with five points, but contributed in other areas, serving as a decoy that allowed opportunities for her teammates. The 6-foot Queens, N.Y. native produced five rebounds, two assists and a steal in the win.
 
The Bison will need another solid performance against Norfolk State (14-3, 2-0 in the MEAC), which is off to its best start in years. The Spartans, picked second in the preseason poll behind Howard, have posted some quality wins during nonconference and undefeated in conference play after a win over Delaware State Monday (Jan. 9).
 
MEAC NOTES: NORFOLK STATE dominates the conference statistically in several categories … the Spartans lead the MEAC in scoring defense (50 ppg), field goal percentage defense and three-point field goal defense … Deja Francis is second in assists, fourth in free throw shooting and seventh in scoring … Camille Downs leads the league in steals and free throw shooting and 10th in scoring … Kierra Wheeler leads the conference in rebounding (8.3), Makoye is fifth in rebounding and Niya Fields is fourth in steals … Mahoganie Williams tops the league in blocked shots. 
 
HOWARD leads the MEAC in assists/turnover ratio and second in turnover margin and assists … Howell is second in three-pointers made, leads the conference in scoring and 10^th in blocked shots … Hudson ranks sixth in scoring (12.2 ppg) … Fort-Davis is fifth in free throw shooting (74-percent) and ninth in rebounding … junior guard Kaniyah Harris (Capital Heights, Md.) leads the conference in assists and assists/turnover ratio, 12^th in rebounding and ninth in steals … she also ranks fourth nationally in assists/turnover ratio … junior forward Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.) ranks seventh in blocked shots.
 
SERIES RECORD: Howard defeated NSU, 61-44, in last year's MEAC Tournament, but the Spartans hold a 15-10 advantage, dating back to the 2005 … the two have split the last six games … Howard last won in Norfolk on February 25, 2017 (68-60).
 
NEXT UP:  Howard faces yet another tough challenge when it hosts Morgan State University Saturday (Jan. 21) at 2 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium.

Contributors: Jalisa Fulwood and Chevonne Mansfield

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.