WEST LONG BEACH, N.J. (November 20, 2025) – Senior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) recorded a double-double and junior guard Destiny Bynum-Johnson (Newark, N.J.) added 10 points but it was the tough team defense that proved to be the difference as the Howard University women's basketball team defeated Monmouth, 57-44, in a nonconference matchup at the Ocean Bank Center.
 
The Bison are off to one of their best starts in recent history (5-1) with four of the victories coming on the road.
 
Howard led from start-to-finish as Thomas, a preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, continues to be a forced to be reckoned with. She was 8-of-17 from the floor while grabbing 13 rebounds.
 
Bynum-Johnson, who has struggled offensively of late, had one of her better games in a Bison uniform, adding three boards to her stats.
 
The scoring of that duo was all that Howard needed as its vaunted defense made life miserable for the hosts.
 
For the game, the Bison held the Hawks to 27-percent shooting (15-of-54) from the floor, including 2-of-17 from beyond the arc.
 
For good measure, Howard turned Monmouth turnovers into 17 points.
 
Senior forward Nile Miller (Woodbury, N.J.), a preseason All-MEAC First Team selection with Thomas, is making a strong case for MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 senior made her usual imprint on the game with 11 rebounds, a block and two steals. She now has five blocks and seven steals in the past two game, along with 17 rebounds.
 
Redshirt junior guard Zoe Stewart (Terre Haute, Ind.) chipped in eight points, three rebounds and two assists.
 
Monmouth (1-3) was led by Alexis Andrews with 15 points and Kathy Kersaint-Pierre with a double-double (10 points & 10 rebounds).
 
NEXT UP: Howard will look to continue its winning ways when it hosts Williams & Mary Sunday (Nov. 23) at 2 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.