WASHINGTON (January 26, 2024) – Howard University women's basketball team looks to extend its win streak in Baltimore against rival Morgan State (MSU) Saturday (Jan. 27). Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., inside the Hill Field House.
 
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SEASON THUS FAR
 
This has been one of the most challenging seasons for Head Coach Ty Grace. It started out promising with the return of last year's and this year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.). Before the season could even get underway, Howell, the team-leading scorer at 17 points per game and one of the top shooters in the country, tore an ACL in an exhibition and was done for the season before it could start.
 
Coach Grace had to scramble to find some scoring. Fifth-year guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) offered some encouragement after missing most of last season with an injury and redshirt freshman Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) offered some promised by leading the team in scoring the first eight games, finishing in double figures in 8 of first 10 games.
 
During the early schedule, the Bison had problems scoring, but defensively, they were able to hold down opponents, but there were too many scoring droughts in the second half and it resulted in tough losses.
 
Along the way, junior forward Vanessa Blake (Summerville, S.C.), senior forward Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.), sophomore forward Nile Miller (Haddonfield, N.J.) all contributed but the team was still searching for an identity.
 
But just when those players began to assert themselves in a supporting role, Walker went into an untimely funk. After scoring in double figures in 9 of first 10 games, she went into a freshman slump and failed to reach double figures for five straight games.
 
All along the way, Coach Grace continued to preach her sermon, "We don't need shots takers; we need shot makers." Through the disappointing closes losses, the Bison finally began to buy into Coach's challenge.
 
It started at North Carolina Central where despite the loss, Howard scored a season-high 76 points. It carried over to the South Carolina State game and resulted in the road victory going into the Norfolk State game.
 
But just when it appeared it was coming together, the Bison suffered yet another setback when Warren was injured and could not suit up for the all-important home game against the defending champion Norfolk State Spartans.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison came out smoking, hitting on a sizzling 65-percent in the first half. Much of the damage was done by Walker, who finished with a career-high 24 points. Creek, Miller and Blake, in particular, all played an important role in the victory as Howard defeated the Spartans, 73-60, converting on 61-percent for the game.  Howard came into the game shooting only 35-percent.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
SERIES RECORD
 
The Bison defeated Morgan State, 64-56, in Baltimore (February 20, 2023) in their last match up.
 
The two rivals have split the last eight meetings and the Bears hold a 13-10 advantage since 2006.
 
HOWARD
 
Howard (5-12, 2-1 MEAC) is coming off a 73-60 home win over Norfolk State Saturday (Jan. 20).
 
The Bison are led by Warren (12.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 41 total assists, 18 total steals & 81-percent from the free throw line), Walker (11.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg & team-high 28 three pointers made), Blake (7.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, & 52-percent shooting from the floor), Miller (6.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, team-high 40 total steals & 17 total blocks) and Creek (5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg & nine total blocks).
 
MORGAN STATE
 
Morgan State (6-12, 1-2 MEAC), which is coming off a 67-47 loss to Coppin State Saturday (Jan. 20) and has lost six of its last eight.
 
The Bears are led graduate forward Joelle Johns (8.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 26 total steals & eight total blocks), junior forward Laila Fair (8.4 ppg, team-leading 7.6 rpg & 13 total blocks), senior guard Sedayjaha Payne (7.1 ppg & 40 total steals) and sophomore forward Keia Ponder (6.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg & 12 total blocks).
 
MEAC STATS
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison lead the MEAC in field goal percentage defense (35-percent) and second in blocked shots (3.4 pg) and defensive scoring (allowing 60.0 ppg).
 
Individually, Warren leads the conference in free throw shooting, fourth in assists and seventh in scoring.
 
Walker second in three-point shooting, seventh in three-point shooting percentage (32-percent) and 10^th in scoring (11.1 ppg).
 
Miller is second in steals, third in blocks and ninth in rebounding (5.5 per game).
 
Senior guard Kaniyah Harris (Capital Heights, Md.) is seventh in assists and Creek is 10^th in blocked shots.
 
MORGAN STATE
 
The Bears are second in free throw shooting (70-percent) and steals (10.9 spg).
 
Individually, Johnson is sixth in steals and eight in rebounding. Ponder is sixth in blocked shots and Payne is third in steals.
 
BISON NOTES
 
Walker has entered the conversation for MEAC Rookie of the Year consideration after scoring 52 points in the past three games.
 
Miller, a strong candidate for MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, had perhaps her best all-around game of her young career against Norfolk State, creating havoc on defense with her ball hawking and shot blocking and on the offensive end with timely basket, including some offensive stick backs.
 
NEXT UP
 
Howard takes on the Eagles of Coppin State Monday (Jan. 29) in Baltimore.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.