WASHINGTON (February 13, 2023) - Howard University men's basketball team protected home court, extending their win streak to eight after a 78-69 victory over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) at Burr Gymnasium.
 
Win the win, HU moved to 16-10 (8-1 MEAC) while remains atop the conference standings. Additionally, the Bison stay unbeaten at home during league play (6-0).
 
Four Bison reached double figures in scoring, led by sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington) with 16 points. The D.C. native also racked up seven boards and six dimes in the win.
 
"We hit a lot of shots tonight," Hawkins stated postgame. "That carried the majority of the game, but we had to keep our focus and keep it going in the end."
 
UMES opened the game with a set of free throws, but Hawkins quickly responded with an underhand layup. From the opening whistle, the game was set at a very fast pace with both teams exerting high defensive pressure.
 
At the seven-minute mark, the Bison were shooting 89-perfect from the three-point line.
 
Third-year Bison Thomas Weaver (Upper Marlboro, Md.) came up with a huge defensive play, taking a charge and giving Howard an extra possession.
 
HU's ball movement has served them well, putting seven different Bison on the scoreboard in the first half. Howard concluded the first half shooting 50-percent (16-of-32) from the floor, including 50-percent (7-of-14) from long range.
 
Like Saturday's game, frequent foul calls started to affect the Howard lineup. The game quickly turned scrappy with hard fouls and hustle plays.
 
At the 10-minute mark, six-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) fouled out with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
 
"We got a little bit complacent, letting the turnovers creep up," said Odom. "They did a good job on offense, but we stayed solid throughout the second half and came away victorious."
 
Towards the end of regulation, UMES began to gain momentum but this was not enough to knock the Bison out of their rhythm.
 
Howard maintained their double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half, proving to be a very different story from their first matchup of the season.
 
Junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio) and sophomore guard Marcus Dockery (Washington) had 13 points apiece in the victory.
 
Howard will travel to Coppin State Saturday (Feb. 18) to have their second faceoff of the season. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. at the Physical Education Complex.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.