WASHINGTON (December 20, 2024) – Howard University women's basketball team closes out the weekend against Northwestern in the Hawk Classic, hosted by Saint Joe's. Saturday's (Dec. 21) tipoff is slated for 11 a.m.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Bison Nation can follow all the action via
live stats and/or
ESPN+.
GAME 14
EVENT: Hawk Classic Presented by Jersey Mike's
PARTICIPANTS: Howard (Bison) vs. Northwestern (Wildcats)
DATE: December 21, 2024
PLACE: Michael J. Hagan 85 Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.
TIME: 11 a.m.
LAST TIMEOUT
HOWARD
Friday (Dec. 20), freshman standout
Saniyah King (Washington) poured in a career-high 23 points, but no other Bison reached double figures as HU fell, 69-53, to Saint Joe's in the Hawk Classic at Michael J. Hagan85 Arena.
NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern (6-5) is coming off a 68-62 loss to the College of Charleston Friday (Dec. 20) in the first round of the Hawk Classic. The Wildcats were led by reserves Caileigh Walsh (20 points) and Melanie Daley (12 points), who combined for 32 of Wildcats' points off the bench.
SERIES RECORD
Northwestern leads the series, 2-0, having won both times in Evanston, Ill., 89-40, (2015) and 61-45 (2012).
THE COACHES
Howard is coached by
Ty Grace (New Haven,'99), who is in her 10
th season. The Wildcats are led by Hall of Fame Coach Joe McKeown (Kent State, '79), who is 13
th year with the program and has won more than 450 games during his career.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
HU PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name 2024-25 Stats
1
Destiny Howell 15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, team-leading 27 3FGM & 83-percent FT%
22
Kaiya Creek 6.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg & 12 3FGM
25
Nile Miller 3.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, team-leading nine blocks & 22 steals
0
Saniyah King 9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, team-leading 66 assists & 15 steals
24
Zennia Thomas 9.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, team-leading 39 ORB
HU KEY RESERVES
No. Name 2024-25 Stats
23
Tyana Walker 4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg & 83-percent FT%
14
Vanessa Blake 3.1 ppg & 2.1 rpg
NORTHWESTERN PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name 2024-25 Stats
33 Taylor Williams 11.5 ppg & 9.5 rpg
2 Kyla Jones 10.5 ppg
12 Casey Harter 7.6 ppg & 2.6 rpg
22 Grace Sullivan 10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg & 53-percent FG%
7 Caroline Lau 4.5 rpg & team-leading 68 assists
NORTHWESTERN KEY RESERVES
No. Name 2024-25 Stats
10 Caileigh Walsh 11.2 ppg & 5.2 rpg
21 Melannie Daley 9.5 ppg & 3.1 rpg
GAME NOTES
HOWARD
The 30 points for graduate guard
Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) versus Old Dominion (Dec. 17) was a season best...Howell has moved up on the school all-time scoring list to No. 18 with 1,119 points and counting...junior forward
Nile Miller (Haddonfield, N.J.) had one of her better games with six points and seven rebounds in the loss to Saint Joe's…King, the early season favorite for MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Rookie of the Year, was named Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season Monday (Dec. 16)…King leads the team in assists (66) and minutes played (31.3 per game)…after averaging in double figures in three straight games--including back-to-back double-doubles, junior forward
Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) has struggled the past two games, failing to reach double figures while being saddled with fouls...The Bison have held their opponents to 67 points per game and 24-percent from three-point land…Howard is averaging under 60 points…The Bison are averaging 3.5 blocks per game...opponents are getting 12 points per game off Howard miscues.
NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats boast four player who average in double figures: Taylor Williams; Caleigh Walsh; Grace Sullivan and Kyla Jones...Northwestern is averaging 19 assists, 3.5 blocks and 15 points off turnovers.
NEXT UP
Howard travels crosstown to take on American Saturday (Dec. 28). The tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
