WASHINGTON (January 15, 2024) – Graduate forward Seth Towns (Columbus, Ohio) scored 13 of his game-high 27 points, including 10 of his team's last 11, to guide the Howard University men's basketball team to a thrilling 78-72 victory over Morehouse College in the annual MLK Day Classic in Burr Gymnasium.
 
The win did not come easy for the Bison (8-11), who have now won three-in-a-row, as the Maroon Tigers (9-6) had one of their better games of the season, battling Howard to nine different lead changes and two ties.
 
Howard took a 39-36 lead to the locker room, courtesy of 14 points by Towns and 10 points from junior guard Marcus Dockery (Washington).
 
As the two teams exchanged baskets, Howard was able to get what appeared to be some breathing room when junior guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) led a charge that saw the Bison open a 10-point lead, 59-49, with eight minutes remaining in the game.
 
With Harris coming alive with nine of his 14 points after the intermission, the Bison were able to keep the determined visitors at bay.
 
Cedric Taylor, III and Amahn Decker helped fuel a rally that got the confident Maroon Tigers to within one, 71-70, at the 1:25 mark. That is when Towns took over and put Morehouse away, scoring six of the team's points down the stretch to give his team the hard-earned victory.
 
Towns made yet another strong case for league Player of the Year, hitting on 5-of-10 from downtown while grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Dockery finished with 16 points, followed by Harris with 14 points. Second-year Bison Ose Okojie (Brampton, Canada) pulled down nine boards in the win.
 
Howard shot a more than respectable 47-percent from the floor and a sizzling 92-percent (19-of-21) from the free throw line.
 
The Bison defense, which had allowed the Marron Tigers to hit on 50-percent (5-of-10) from beyond the arc before halftime, tightened up in the second half, forcing Morehouse to miss 10-of-12 after intermission.
 
Howard had to go deep into its bench, but reserves Miles Stewart (Orlando, Fla.), Talin Lewis (Westlake Village, Calif.), Ayodele Taiwo (two points and three rebounds in six minutes of action), Thomas Weaver (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Dom Campbell (six points and three rebounds before fouling out) were able to make small contributions with their hustle, rebounding and defense.

The Maroon Tigers were able to keep pace with the hosts, forcing 22 turnovers that led to 18 points. Morehouse also won the battle of reserves, outscoring the Bison, 34-10.
 
Morehouse was led by Taylor with 21 points, followed by Amahn with 17 points. Damion Mitchell recorded 10 points and a game-high six assists in the loss.
 
NEXT UP: Howard has a few days off before it resumes conference play Saturday, January 20, in a key matchup against Norfolk State at 4 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.