SYRACUSE, N.Y. (November 30, 2025) – Senior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) poured in a game-high 24 points and redshirt junior guard Zoe Stewart (Terre Haute, Ind.) came off the bench to add 11 points but no other player reached double figure as the Howard University women's basketball team dropped a 78-62 decision at Syracuse inside the JNA Wireless Dome.
 
A 6-foot-2 forward and strong candidate for MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Player of the Year consideration, Thomas converted on 9-of-21 from the floor while adding a career-best five assists and two steals.
 
Stewart, who has scored in double figures for the third straight game, connected on 5-of-13 shots.
 
The Bison (6-3) stayed close to the Orange, trailing, 19-13, at the end of the first quarter. The visitors battled the hosts to seven lead changes in the first 10 minutes. It was the second quarter that set the tone for the rest of the game as Syracuse (7-1) outscored Howard, 18-11, in the period to take a 37-24 advantage to the lock room at the half.
 
Howard played Syracuse to a draw by tallying 20 points in a deadlock in the third quarter, but the hosts were able to put the game away in the final period.
 
Thomas proved to be virtually unstoppable, but Howard was unable to get any consistent scoring from her teammates. For the game, the Bison shot 38-percent (23-of-61) while allowing the Orange to connect on 31-of-61 shots for 51-percent. Other than Thomas, the remaining starters shot 4-of-18 for the game.
 
The Bison did not help themselves as they gave up 22 points to Syracuse off their turnovers.
 
The thing that has remained a constant is the defense. Howard scored 18 points off 15 Syracuse turnovers, recording eight steals and five blocks.
 
The Bison, who are shooting 78-percent as a team from the free throw line on the season, matched the total.
 
Freshman guard Ariella Henigan (Chicago) chipped in with seven points.
 
Syracuse was led by Uche Ijoze with 20 points and nine rebounds, Laila Phelia (14 points), Journey Thompson (12 points) and reserve Angelica Velez (9 assists).
 
NEXT UP: Howard hosts Fairfield Friday (Dec. 5) at noon inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.