WASHINGTON (November 3, 2025) — Graduate guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) poured in a game-high 27 points and junior guard Alex Cotton (Carrollton, Texas) added 20 points, but it was not enough as Missouri used its superior size and hot shooting to defeat the Howard University men's basketball team, 88-67, in a nonconference showdown at Burr Gymnasium.
 
Harris, the 2024-25 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Preseason Player of the Year, missed most of last season with a foot injury. Regarded as the premier player in the league, Harris showed that he is back to the form, shooting 9-of-17 from the floor, including 4-of-9 from three-point range, while grabbing four rebounds and dealing out four assists in 38 minutes of play.
 
With the Bison trailing by 16 at the half, 42-26, it was Harris who took matters into his own hands, fueling a 20-13 run , with 14 of the points , to cut the deficit to single digits, 55-46, with 12:30 on the clock in the second half.
 
But the Tigers from the SEC (Southeastern Conference) regrouped following a timeout and promptly reeled off a 17-5 spurt that opened the lead, 72-51, with 6:13 remaining.
 
Howard would make mini runs to cut into the deficit on the scoring of Cotton, a sharpshooting transfer from North Texas, who scored nine straight points.
 
But Missouri, the tallest team in Division I basketball with five players over 6-foot-9, including three 7-footers, was too much for the undersized but spirited Bison to overcome. 
 
The Tigers shot 56-percent from the floor (34-of-61), including 53-percent from three (10-of-19), outrebounded the Bison, 47-28, and won the battle in the paint, 46-16.
 
It must be noted that Howard played without its talented junior transfer forward Cedric Taylor III (Atlanta), who sat out with an injured wrist. His status remains unknown.
 
The Bison got some nice contributions from junior guard Cam Gillus (seven points & team-high six assists), freshman forward Danas Kazakevicius (seven points & five assists) and redshirt senior guard Ed Holland III (seven rebounds).
 
Shawn Phiillips Jr. paced the Tigers with 16 points, followed by Jayden Smith (13 points) and Jacob Crews (10 points).
 
NEXT UP: Missouri hosts Southeast Missouri State Friday (Nov. 7) while the Bison will be looking for their first win of the season when they host UDC Thursday (Nov. 6) at 7 p.m., inside The Burr.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.