RICHMOND, Va. (November 17, 2025) — Senior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) poured in a team-high 25 points to help bring her team from a 15-point deficit only to come up short, 69-66, at VCU at the Siegel Center.
 
It was the first loss of the young season for the Bison (4-1), who are off to one of their best starts in recent history.
 
This was the fourth road game for Howard and it appeared to have an impact early when the Rams (3-1) reeled off a 13-0 run to start the start the second period and appeared to be in control at the 8:07 mark of the second quarter, 30-15.
 
But the Bison fought and scrapped their way in the game and trailed by a workable margin at the end of the third period, 53-49.
 
With Thomas, the early season favorite for MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Player of the Year consideration, went to work. Her presence was felt by VCU as it had no one to stop her. A 6-foot-2 senior, Thomas connected on 6-of-9 from the floor and 13-of-18 from the free throw line.
 
Meanwhile, freshman guard Ariella Henigan (Chicago) showed why she is going to be a force for the Bison this season. The Windy City guard came into the game scoring a career-high 14 points in the road win at Elon off the bench. Like Thomas, most of the damage was done at the charity stripe where she was 8-of-9 and finished with 12 points.
 
For the game, Howard shot 25-of-37 from the charity stripe.
 
Senior forward Nile Miller (Woodbury, N.J.), a preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, along with Thomas, came up with a big free throw to tie the game, 66-66, with 17 seconds remaining.
 
The Bison failed to score the rest of the game and VCU's Mary-Anna Asare added a field goal and a free throw to close out the victory, 69-66.
 
Redshirt junior guard Zoe Stewart (Terre Haute, Ind.) contributed 10 points for the Bison.
 
Thomas continues to show the versatility in her game, adding eight rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot in 28 minutes of play.
 
The Bison defense forced VCU to take 34 three pointers. It is setting the tone for the season, recording 12 steals, blocked four shots and got 18 points off 19 Ram turnovers.
 
The Rams, who are expected to contend for an Atlantic 10 title this season, were led by Asare with 25 points, Katarina Knezevick (19 points & seven rebounds) and Lucy Gahifan (game-high 11 rebounds).
 
NEXT UP: Howard travels to New Jersey to take on Monmouth Thursday (Nov. 20) at 7 p.m. It will be their fifth game on the road. The Bison return to Burr Gymnasium Sunday (Nov. 23) to take on William & Mary at 2 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.