DURHAM, N.C. (January 6, 2024) – Howard University men's basketball team dropped its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener at North Carolina Central (NCCU), 73-54, inside the McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
Junior guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) and sophomore forward Dom Campbell (Scarborough, Maine) led the way. Harris recorded his second double-double of the season (21 points & 10 rebounds) while the Maine native had his best game as a Bison, producing 18 points (season-high), including a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, and eight boards in the loss.
 
HU was unable to find a rhythm on the offensive end despite their efforts, shooting just under 34-percent (19-of-56) from the floor, including 19-percent (5-of-27) from long range. Entering Saturday's contest, the Bison were shooting a league-best 37-percent from downtown.
 
NCCU (9-7, 1-0 MEAC) led throughout the first period, including a 12-point advantage with just over a minute before intermission, 35-23. HU cut the deficit to 10 points before halftime, thanks to a Harris' dunk, 35-25.
 
Howard responded after the break, going on a 12-1 run while taking a slim lead, 37-36, capped off by a layup from graduate forward Seth Towns (Columbus, Ohio).
 
With less than 14 minutes remaining, both squads were deadlocked, 40-40, until the Eagles scored 12 unanswered to balloon the margin back to double-digits, 52-40.
 
HU (5-11, 0-1 MEAC) fought back and trimmed the deficit to six points, 52-46, but North Carolina Central closed the contest with a 21-8 spurt to down the Bison.
 
Towns, the squad's leading scorer, finished with eight points and six rebounds in the loss.
 
MEAC Preseason Player of the Year sophomore forward Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) and graduate guard Isiah Warfield (Monaca, Pa.) each missed their third straight game while All-MEAC selection graduate guard Jelani Williams (Washington) missed his fourth consecutive contest. All three Bison are injured and their status for Monday's contest is uncertain.
 
Four Eagles reached double figures in scoring, led by Fred Cleveland, Jr. with a game-high 24 points. Ja'Darius Harris netted 21 points while Po'Boigh King and Timmy Adedire added 12 points and 11 points, respectively, in the victory.
 
The Bison continue MEAC play Monday (Jan. 8) when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on the Bulldogs of South Carolina State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.