WASHINGTON (February 8, 2025) – Junior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) poured in a game-high 25 points to lead four Bison in double figures as the Howard University women's basketball team defeated North Carolina Central University (NCCU), 81-64, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) clash at Burr Gymnasium.
 
With the victory, the Bison improved to 12-9 on the season and 5-1 in the MEAC.
 
Thomas, who has had back-to-back solid performances, converted on 11-of-16 from the field and set the tone early, scoring eight of her team's first nine points.
 
Howard led, 17-14, at the end of the first quarter.
 
Thomas led all scorers with 13 points at the half but the scrappy visitors kept it close on the efforts of Morgan Callahan and Kyla Bryant, who combined for 15 of their team's points.
 
The Bison held a slight advantage at the break, 34-32.
 
Then, freshman Saniyah King (Washington) and redshirt sophomore Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) began to contribute as they combined for 12 of their team's 23 points in the third quarter that helped the host open a 55-46 lead at the end of three.
 
Next, the bench began to get into the act with one of their best productions of the season, led by sophomores Sa'lah Hemingway (San Bernardino, Calif.) and Janyah Bohanon (Cleveland) combining for 16 of their team's 24 fourth-quarter points. Hemingway finished with a career-high 13 points and Bohanon added 10 points in 19 minutes of play.
 
It was one of Howard's better shooting performances of the season, connecting on 19-of-37 from the field in the second half.
 
The stifling Bison defense forced the Eagles into 11-of-33 from the field in the second stanza and the pressing full-court defense forced 32 NCCU turnovers, which was converted into 35 points.
 
Howard had one of its better assists-to-basket ratios on the season with 17 assists on 31 baskets.
 
Walker, who has been in a slump for most of the season, finished with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. King, who leads the conference in assists, registered 11 points and seven dimes.
 
NCCU (6-16, 3-4 MEAC) was led by Callahan with a double-double (15 points & 11 rebounds). Shakira Foster chipped in with 14 points while Jada Tiggett added 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
NEXT UP: Howard travels to Princess Anne, Md., to take on the Hawks of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Monday (Feb. 10) at 5:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.