Washington, DC--Iyanna Warren scored a game-high 20 points and Tyana Walker and Nya Cooper came off the bench to tally 17 and 11, respectively to give Howard a hard-fought 76-73 win over Coppin State in a key Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's showdown in Burr Gymnasium.
 
The Eagles (9-16 overall, 6-5 in the MEAC) jumped out to the early 21-11 lead in the first quarter before the Bison (11-14 overall, 8-3 in the MEAC) responded with 30-19 spurt in the second quarter to take a 41-40 lead at intermission.
 
From there, the two teams traded blows as neither was able to get any separation.  There were nine lead changes and 8 ties in this see saw affair after intermission.  Howard was able to finish the third quarter with a shaky 59-56 lead.
 
Warren, a graduate guard, who is playing her best basketball, made a difference-making plays down the stretch with her veteran leadership as she hit clutch shots, knocked down free throws and finding teammates for baskets.  In the past two games, Warren has recorded 10 assists and 0 turnovers.
 
A red-shirt freshman, Walker is coming on strong and has emerged as the top Rookie in the MEAC, averaging almost 20 points in the past four games.  Cooper, a junior guard had perhaps her best game of the year while junior forward Marissa Steel and sophomore forward Nile Miller all contributed to the victory.
 
Steele finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds while Miller had eight points.  The Bison bench outscored their counterparts, won the points-in-the-paint battle 23-10 and converted Coppin State turnovers into 21 points.
 
Coppin State was led by Faith Blackstone with 16, Laila Lawrence with a double-double of14 and 15 rebounds, Mossi Staples with 14 and Tiffany Hammond with 13.
 
NEXT UP: Howard will try to stay close to Norfolk State in the race for the MEAC regular season title when it travels to Princess Anne, Md to take the Hawks on Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 2 pm.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.