BALTIMORE (February 22, 2025) – Graduate forward Cameron Shockley-Okeke (Norwalk, Conn.) scored 14 of his team-high 24 points in the second half and freshman standout Blake Harper (Washington) added his 15 of his 21 points after intermission to help the Howard University men's basketball team hold off Morgan State, 87-81, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) clash inside Hill Fieldhouse before 4,234 fans.
 
The Bison improve to 12-15 overall (7-3 MEAC) while the Bears fall to 11-15 overall (5-5 MEAC).
 
Shockley-Okeke set the tone early for the Bison, giving Howard the early comfortable lead.
 
Senior guard Marcus Dockery (Washington) chipped in with 10 points as Howard led by double digits, 20-4, at the 13:36 mark, courtesy of an 11-0 run early in the first half. Then, the Bears went on a run of their own, closing the gap to a one-possession game, 38-35, at halftime.
 
Meanwhile, Harper, the MEAC Rookie of the Year candidate, came into the game leading the conference with 19 points per game, managed only six points in the first 20 minutes.
 
Looking for someone to pickup the scoring slack, the Bison turned to redshirt junior forward Ayodele Taiwo (Lagos, Nigeria), who came into the game averaging a little over two points and two rebounds a game. The 6-foot-9 forward turned in his best game with a career-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor, along with nine rebounds and three blocks.
 
It proved to be just what the doctor needed as Harper came alive in the second half, tallying 15 points, including a key offensive rebound and four free throws during the last 1:48 of the game to help seal the deal. For the game, the D.C. native had 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 11-of-16 from the free throw line, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
The Bison appeared to be in good shape, leading 81-73 with just 50 seconds remaining. But when these two rivals meet, the game is never over until it is over.
 
The high-scoring Bears refused to quit, led by the explosive duo Kameron Hobbs and Will Thomas.
 
Morgan State was able to quickly close the deficit to a one-possession game, 84-81, with 20 ticks on the clock. The Bears were forced to foul but Howard's Anwar Gill (Washington) missed both free throws that would have made it a two-possession game.
 
Harper was the Johnny on the Spot, gathering Gill's missed free throw.
 
Taiwo was subsequently fouled with 15 ticks on the clock, making the first free throw attempt, but missed the second.
 
Again, it was Harper there to the rescue as he gathered another missed free throw. The freshman calmly knocked down both free throws to close out the scoring and seal the victory for Howard.
 
The Bison came into the game ranked among the nation's leaders in three-point shooting percentage (40-percent). For the game, Howard connected on 10-of-24 for 42-percent.
 
The Bears came into the game among the nation's leaders in points per game (81.0). But Morgan State got most of its scoring from the free throw line, connecting 84-percent (31-of-37).
 
What ultimately may have proven to be a key factor was Howard's three-point shooting defense, limiting the Bears to only two three-pointers made out of 14 attempts, which both occurring late in the second half.
 
The Bears were led by Thomas with 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting and Hobbs with 27 points and three assists.
 
NEXT UP: Morgan State travels to Norfolk, Va., to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State Monday (Feb. 24) at 7:30 p.m. The Bears handed the Spartans their only conference loss of the season.
 
Howard will look to continue its win streak when it heads back to Baltimore to take on the Eagles of Coppin State Monday (Feb. 24) at 8 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.