WASHINGTON (December 13, 2024) – Junior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) scored 11 of her game-high 19 points in the second half, freshman guard Saniyah King (Washington) tallied seven of her 14 points after intermission to help the Howard University women's basketball team to a 61-54 win over Army in a nonconference showdown at Burr Gymnasium.
 
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Bison, who upped their mark to 6-5 on the season. The loss by the Black Knights snapped a seven-game win streak.
 
Howard jumped out early and was able to maintain the lead through most of the first half, taking a 19-13 first quarter lead and increasing it to 33-23 at intermission.
 
Thomas, a 6-foot-2 junior transfer from Kentucky, has established herself as a force to be reckoned with for Bison opponents. She came into the game with back-to-back double doubles.  She led her team with eight points before halftime while graduate guard Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) and King each contributed seven points in the first 20 minutes.
 
But the Black Knights (7-1) refused to go away and rallied to a 15-8 third quarter spurt to get to within three, 41-38, at the end of three quarters of play. Trinity Hardy and reserve Taylor Wilson combined for 13 of their team's points during the rally.
 
Thomas, King and redshirt sophomore guard Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) rebuffed several Army runs with timely baskets or free throws. Thomas finished with 19 points on 6-of-11 from the floor and just missed another double-double with eight boards.
 
King, the three-time MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Rookie of the Week, rebounded from a tough shooting night in the last game to score 14 points while recording a career-high nine dimes.
 
Walker, last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year and Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, has begun to come on the past two games with back-to-back games in double figures. She tallied 11 points off the bench, including a key basket and two free throws down the stretch that helped keep the visitors at bay and secure the win.
 
Howell had another off-shooting performance, missing 9-of-11 shots but she grabbed seven rebounds and was credited with a steal and a blocked shot, both coming in the last two minutes. This was the first game of the season that she has not scored in double figures.
 
The Black Knights were led by Hardy with 18 points and five assists. Wilson and Camyrn Tade each with 11 points and Kya Smith with a double-double (10 points & a game-high 14 rebounds).
 
NEXT UP: Howard closes out the 2024 home season Tuesday, December 17, when it hosts Old Dominion in a noon tipoff.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.