In the final match of their four-game road trip, the Bison dropped a close game to their conference rival, the South Carolina State Bulldogs.
The teams last met on March 10, 2020 during the first round of that year’s MEAC tournament. Though Howard won that game, S.C. State holds a 7-3 lead in the last ten matchups.
This season, the Bison and Bulldogs were equally matched with their respective 2-2 and 2-3 conference records entering the game.
Play began with fierce back-and-forth scoring and neither team having more than a six-point lead in the first half. The Bison held a small advantage going into halftime with the score at 24-21.
The battle continued following the break with Howard gaining momentum to secure an eight-point lead six minutes into the period. However, the improved play of the Bison didn’t hold, and the team lost their lead with just under six minutes left in the quarter.
The teams returned to their alternating scoring until a clean three-pointer from redshirt sophomore forward Steve Settle III tied the game with 19 seconds left. S.C. State scored with a layup and two successful free throws, running down the clock in the process.
Freshman guard and six-time MEAC Rookie of the Week, Elijah Hawkins, quickly scored to lower S.C. State’s lead to two points, but a clumsy rebound used up the few seconds left on the clock. The final score was 55-58.
Graduate forward and team rebound leader, Randall Brumant, topped both teams in rebounds with 12, his season high. The Bison were led in scoring by graduate guard, Kyle Foster, with 13 points and Settle III with 9 points.
This loss brought Howard’s conference record to 2-3 and overall record to 8-10, with six of those games being lost by three points or less.
Next, the Bison will play Delaware State in Dover, Delaware, on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Howard and South Carolina State Men’s Basketball will meet again on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C.
Copy edited by Lauryn Wilson
