Durham, N.H. (November 12, 2023) – Howard University redshirt freshman guard Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) scored a team-high 18 points and junior forward Vanessa Blake (Summerville, S.C.) added 11 points but it was not enough to overcome New Hampshire's (UNH) fourth quarter surge as the women's basketball team fell, 59-51, to the Wildcats in nonconference action.
 
The Bison (1-2 overall) appeared to be in good shape to start the game, holding a 19-15 advantage in the first quarter as Walker and Blake combined for 14 of their team's points.
 
Then, Howard suffered through a scoring drought in the second quarter when New Hampshire (2-1) held the visitors to only one field goal; yet, the Bison defense stood tall and kept it close, trailing, 24-22, at intermission.
 
The Bison began to get some production from fifth-year guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) and sophomore forward Nile Miller (Haddonfield, N.J.) and managed to take a 39-36 lead at the end of three.
 
Then came the disastrous fourth quarter when Howard missed 13-of-17 shots from the field, including only 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Wildcats capitalized on their cold spell and parlayed a 7-for-12 shooting effort--their best of the game-- and a perfect 7-for-7 effort from the free throw line to put the game away.

"We weren't shooting the ball well most of the game and the fourth quarter wasn't any different," said Howard Head Coach Ty Grace. "We just struggled to get in a rhythm offensively. We were missing shots that we are very capable of making."
 
Warren finished with nine points while senior guard Kaniyah Harris (Capital Heights) recorded with a season and game-high seven assists.
 
The Wildcats were led by Adara Gorman with a double-double (20 points & 12 rebounds) and Avery O'Connor with 10 points off the bench. UNH reserves outscored the Bison bench, 27-11.

"We definitely need players off the bench to step up and be productive," Grace continued. "We are a better team when we do, especially with Destiny [Howell] being out. The points and rebounds are there for someone to take. Hopefully, our bench will start to emerge when we need them."
 
NEXT UP: Howard looks to even its record when it hosts Duquesne Tuesday (Nov. 14) at 5:30 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.