ORANGEBURG, S.C. (January 8, 2024) – Redshirt guard Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) matched her career high (18 points) and junior forward Vanessa Blake (Summerville, S.C.) just missed a double-double (10 points & nine boards) to lead the Howard University women's basketball team to a 70-46 win over South Carolina State (SCSU) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game inside the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Gymnasium.
 
The Bison (4-12 1-1 MEAC) jumped out to the early 13-10 lead after one and never looked back. Junior guard Nyla Cooper (Fayetteville, N.C.) helped the Bison to its early lead, scoring all seven of her points in the first half.
 
After taking a 10-point cushion at the break, 32-22, Howard removed all doubts in the third quarter with a 20-10 advantage and took a commanding 52-32 lead into the fourth frame.
 
The Bison defense, which has been strong all season, held the host to 32-percent shooting (15-of-46) while connecting on a season-high 47-percent (26-of-55) from the field.
 
Walker connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range in only 22 minutes of play off the bench.
 
Fifth-year guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.), who had carried the team the past three games with an average just under 20 points, changed her role in this victory and became a playmaker, finishing with seven points, four assists and three steals.
 
The Bulldogs (1-16, 0-2 MEAC), who have now dropped nine straight, were led by Morgan Beacham and Jordan Releford, who had 10 points and nine points, respectively.
 
NEXT UP: Howard has a week off before it resumes MEAC action with a home showdown with Norfolk State Saturday (Jan. 20) at 2 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.