WASHINGTON (January 6, 2023) - In a perfect world, a win over visiting A-10 opponent La Salle University last week (Dec. 29) would have been just what the Howard University men's basketball ordered to end the 2022 portion of the schedule with a four-game win streak headed into the New Year and the start of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play. But as it turned out, the Bison came up just short, 80-76, to the hot-shooting Explorers.

At 7-9 and gearing up for its home conference opener against Delaware State University (DSU) Saturday (Jan. 7) at 4 p.m., Howard has a lot of positives.

LAST TIMEOUT
 
Junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio), who is having his best season, got caught up in the Southwest Airlines fiasco and was not able to get back to D.C. from his home until 3 a.m. on the morning of the game.
 
Wood averages almost nine points and five rebounds per game and is arguably the team's most dangerous three-point shooter. He played sparingly, as he appeared out of sorts.
 
"This is not an excuse, but it did affect our play and its continuity," said Howard Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney on the Wood effect. "He means a lot to what we want to do and I'm not taking anything away from La Salle. They played well, but when you practice and prepare and one of your key players is not there, it makes a difference."
 
So, Howard turned to Shy Odom (Chestnut Hill, Mass.). Despite a slow start, the 6-foot-6 freshmen had answers in the second half, finishing with a career-high 22 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. 
 
In the nip-and-tuck second half, Odom got into foul trouble and that is when sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington) stepped up and tallied 16 of his 20 points after intermission.
 
"In the last four games (all starts), he is shooting almost 72-percent (28-of-39)," says Blakeney of Odom, recently named MEAC Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season. "We are beginning to go through him and he is responding well. He is very efficient."
 
With Odom in foul trouble, graduate forward Kobe Dickson (Holcomb, Kan.) stepped up and tallied 10 points off the bench, in his best outing since the season opener at then No. 4 Kentucky (Nov. 7).
 
Equally important in this quest for the MEAC title is the play of D.C. natives guards Jelani Williams (7.9 ppg, 34 total assists [2^nd on the team] and team-leading 22 total steals) and Marcus Dockery (6.3 ppg), New York product sophomore guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, 6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and senior guard Khalil Robinson (Columbia, S.C.).
 
Through 16 games, Howard appears to have the chemistry in its starting lineup and some more than reliable reserves.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
THE SERIES
 
This is the 111^th meeting between HU and DSU since 1966-67 and Howard leads the series, 57-53.
 
This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the Hornets and Bison during the 2022-23 regular season.
 
Howard swept last season, winning the first meeting, 69-64, in Dover, Del., and posting an 85-72 victory in the rematch at Burr Gymnasium. The Hornets and Bison are also scheduled to meet this season on Feb. 11 at Delaware State.
 
HOWARD
 
Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) continues to display the all-around skills that is quickly making him one of the best players in the MEAC. Early in the season, the 6-foot-10 redshirt junior was one of the team's key scorers, but of late, is making other significant contributions with his rebounding and defense on the opponent's best offensive player. His 12 total blocks lead the team in that category.
 
"As we get into conference play, Steve has to continue to do the things that he has been doing for us to be successful," noted Blakeney.
 
DELAWARE STATE
 
In Delaware State, the Bison face a team that is struggling (1-12) and has lost 11 in a row, the latest a 60-46 setback at Penn State (Dec. 29). The Hornets are led by junior guard Martez Robinson (12.0 ppg) and senior guard O'Koye Parker.
 
Entering league play, the Hornets are third in three-point shooting percentage (.338). Individually, Brandon Stone is second in field goal percentage (53-percent).
 
BISON NOTES

• Settle leads the MEAC in free throw shooting (85-percent), fourth in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and ninth in blocked shots (0.8 bpg)
• Hawkins is seventh in scoring (13.2 ppg), third in assists (4.4 apg), fifth in steals (1.8 spg), seventh in free throw shooting (77-percent) and 10^th in three-point field goals made per game (1.5)
• Wood is fourth in three pointers made per game (1.9) and 11^th in blocked shots (0.7 bpg)

 
NEXT UP
 
The Bison travel to Princess Anne, Md., to take on the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Jan. 9). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.