WASHINGTON (February 17, 2025) – Freshman guard Blake Harper (Washington) poured in a game-high 34 points while fellow D.C. native Marcus Dockery added 15 points as the Howard University men's basketball team rolled to an 86-62 win over Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest at Burr Gymnasium.
 
Earlier during the day, Harper was named MEAC Rookie of the Week for an unprecedented 15^th time this season. Additionally, it was the second highest point total for Harper and was the third time this season that he has tallied 34 points in a game, just one off his career-high (35) that he scored against Hampton (Feb. 1).
 
"He is the player of the year in our conference," said Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball head coach Cleo Hill, Jr., after the game. "Although he is a freshman, he has size, handles the ball well, great passer and intelligent.
 
Harper, the MEAC leading scorer, got Howard off to a fast start, scoring nine of his team's first 11 points en route to 15-3 lead four minutes into the game. The 6-foot-8 freshman scored on a variety of ways whether it was strong post moves, free throws or three pointers.
 
"He can play down low, which is surprising given he is a freshman," Hill added. "We tried different things on him, but it did not work. He is a load to handle."
 
He proved to be virtually unstoppable, connecting on 9-of-10 from the field, including a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range. Harper finished with 23 first half points to help the Bison to a 45-23 halftime cushion that they never relinquished.
 
From there, Dockery and graduate guard Jaren Johnson (Lynwood, Calif.) got into the act.
 
Johnson came off the bench to register nine points, six rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of productive play.
 
Howard shot 55-percent from the floor, including 8-of-24 from beyond the arc and turned the Hawks turnovers into 17 points.
 
Howard, who came into the game among the nation's leaders in assists per game, recorded 19 dimes on 33 made baskets with nine of the 10 players who suited up for the short-handed Bison scored.
 
With the win, the Bison upped their mark to 11-15 overall (6-3 MEAC). The Hawks remain winless in league play (0-9 MEAC, 4-21 overall).
 
UMES was led by Ketron "KC" Shaw (team-high 21 points & eight rebounds) and Evan Johnson (15 points).
 
NEXT UP: The Hawks host North Carolina Central Saturday (Feb. 22) at 4 p.m. Howard looks to extend its streak when it travels to Baltimore to take on the Bears of Morgan State Saturday (Feb. 22) at 4 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.