TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 4, 2024) – Graduate Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) poured in a game-high 22 points to lead three players in double figures as the Howard University women's basketball team (1-0) opened the season with a 78-66 win over Florida A&M in a nonconference game at the Lawson Athletic Center.
 
Howell, the 2022-23 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Player of the Year, missed all of last season with a knee injury; however, the 6-foot sharpshooting guard showed no effects from the injury as she connected on 8-of-17 from the field while adding six rebounds and two assists. Howell is just 24 points shy of the 1,000 points in her illustrious career.
 
Graduate forward Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.) chipped in with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
 
Saniyah King, the freshman guard from Bishop Ireton, had an impressive all around first collegiate game with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, a team-leading five assists and two steals in her debut.
 
Zennia Thomas (Cleveland), a junior transfer from Kentucky, contributed nine points off the bench on 4-of-4 shooting and three rebounds in 12 minutes of play while senior reserve forward Marissa Steel (Laurel, Md.) provided support with eight points and six rebounds.
 
Redshirt sophomore Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.), a first team All-MEAC preseason selection and last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year, failed to score but did lead the team in steals with three.
 
For the game, the Bison shot 53-percent (30-of-57).
 
After trailing, 23-21, in the first quarter, Howard took the courtesy of an 8-2 run over the last 1:07 of the second stanza to open a 47-37 lead at the half. Howell tallied 15 of her points in the first 20 minutes, converting on three free throws for Howard's points during the important run.
 
Florida A&M (0-1) was led by D'Maya Griffin with 19 points and Saige Glover and Sydney Hendrix with 14 points and 10 points, respectively.
 
NEXT UP: Howard opens its home schedule Friday (Nov. 8) when it hosts crosstown rival George Washington inside Burr Gymnasium at 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.