DURHAM, N.C. (February 24, 2023) - The Howard University men's basketball team will be looking to rebound from an 89-76 loss at Morgan State that snapped a nine-game win streak when it travels to Durham, N.C., to take on the streaking Eagles of North Carolina Central (14-11, 7-4 MEAC) Saturday (Feb. 25) at 4 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
The game will be broadcast on NCCU Network and there will be live stats.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison (17-11, 9-2 MEAC) got a team-leading 22 points from freshman forward Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.), 16 points from sophomore guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington) and 11 points off the bench from graduate guard Jelani Williams (Washington). But Howard missed the services of redshirt junior forward Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.), who suffered a head injury against Coppin State Saturday (Feb. 18) and did not suit up.
 
Settle is one of the main keys to the Bison's success this season. He averages 11.3 points, leads the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and has 20 total blocks and 35 total steals on the season.
 
In addition to those numbers, especially on offense, it is on the defense end where he is most valuable. At 6-foot-10, he often defends the opponents best offensive player. That was visible as the Bison gave up 61 second half points to the hot shooting Bears. Settle's status is unknown for Saturday, but the Bison have more than proven players to take up the slack.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
Howard has won the last three, but NCCU leads the series, 12-5, since 2011. The Eagles last won, 80-65, in Durham (February 24, 2020).
 
HOWARD
 
Howard has six players averaging in double figures in conference play, led by Hawkins (13.6 ppg, 143 total assists, 42 total steals), Odom (10.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, shooting 53-percent from the floor), junior forward Jordan Wood (9.4 ppg) and sophomore guard Marcus Dockery (9.8 ppg, 44-percent from three-point land).
 
Howard leads the MEAC in three-point shooting (37-percent) and second in three pointers made per game (7.9) and third in free throw shooting (72-percent), assists per game (14.5) and field goal shooting (46-percent).
 
Individually, Hawkins leads the MEAC in assists, fifth steals and sixth in scoring and free throw shooting (78-percent).
 
Settle is second in free throw shooting (83-percent), fourth in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and ninth blocked shots.
 
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (NCCU)
 
In NCCU, Howard will have to find a way to slow down the fast-charging Eagles, who enter the game on a four-game win streak, the most recent a 68-63 road victory at Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Feb. 20). The two met back in January and the Bison pulled out a 71-67 victory.
 
NCCU is led by junior guard Justin Wright (15.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg), graduate center Brendan Medley-Bacon (12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 44 total blocks), redshirt senior forward Kris Monroe (10.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and senior guard Eric Boone (7.2 ppg, 131 total assists, 54 total steals).
 
NCCU ranks fifth in field goal shooting (48-percent) and defense (66 ppg allowed) and second in scoring (76 ppg), field goal percentage defense (43-percent), three-point defense (30-percent) and assists per game (14.7).
 
Individually, Wright is third in field goal shooting (48-percent) and fourth in scoring.
 
Medley-Bacon leads the MEAC in blocked shots, seventh in rebounding and is ninth scoring.
 
Monroe is fifth in rebounds and Boone is first in steals and second in assists.
 
NEXT UP
 
Howard closes out the current four-game road trek when it travels to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on the Bulldogs of South Carolina State Monday (Feb. 27) at 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.