The Howard men’s basketball team went into their exhibition game on Oct. 24 against Capital University ready for a win. However, they received an early test that might pay dividends when the regular season starts.
Early turnovers led to the team being down by the end of the first half. With the team’s lofty expectations from outside critics and themselves, they know they have to start games better to be successful.
Joshua Strong, a guard for the basketball team, spoke about how these in-game pressure situations will benefit them down the line.
“It was good for us. It’s hard to replicate those types of game-like situations. It was our first game and our first time playing with each other,” Strong said. “In the same breath, we know what type of team we want to be and the standards we have. A lot of it is understanding that yes, there are going to be mistakes, but there is no excuse for certain things.”
In the second half, it would still be a battle with Capital throughout. The team was able to get a late burst largely due to the game’s top performers and guards, Marcus Dockery and Bryce Harris who chipped in 16 points. With this late surge, the Bison would come out victorious in the end with a final score of 83-79.
Guard Elijah Williams believes the team must continue to instill everyday principles to build from the game against Capital.
“We need to work most on our defensive principles, communication, and connectivity on both ends of the floor. Hunting EGBs (energy generating behaviors) is the culture we instill every day. We need to be more intentional about hunting, starting in practice. Other than that, execution and synergy on both sides of the ball is what it’s gonna come down to,” Williams said.
The team will gear up to play American University for their next exhibition game on Oct. 31. Following that game the team will open up their regular season in Burr Gymnasium against Hampton University on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.
Copy edited by Diamond Hamm
