The Bison have dealt with key players coming in and out of their rotation due to injuries throughout the season. Amongst these players is the sophomore forward Shyheim Odom, who has been out of the lineup since the team’s game against La Salle University on Dec. 30.
With Odom being the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year and averaging eight points and four rebounds before his injury, his contributions have been missed. Graduate student and guard Jelani Williams has been sidelined since Dec. 20 as well.
Odom and Williams were inactive again when the Bison traveled to Baltimore to play the Morgan State Bears in their first of two MEAC matchups of the upcoming weeks.
The game would come down to the wire, but ultimately the Bison fell to the Bears 79-85. Morgan State guard Will Thomas was a problem for Howard defensively throughout the game, chipping in 24 points to the win.
In the loss, Seth Towns scored 21 points for the Bison, while junior guard Bryce Harris put up 20 points and seven rebounds.
Since Odom has been out, the Bison have split their last eight games and are now 2-3 in the MEAC. However, Harris has been a bright spot for the team even through adversity. He has suited up in all 21 games this season and is averaging 15.8 points on an efficient 56.6 field goal percentage, according to ESPN.
Howard basketball coach Kenneth Blakeney is proud of the way Harris has stepped up his on-the-court play while also filling into a leadership role on the team.
“I think this is the growth that he wanted to see out of himself, but it’s also a confidence thing for him where he’s become more of a leader now that he has gotten more comfortable being the type of player that he is now,” he said.
Harris has also made his presence felt on the defensive end, leading to his being named MEAC defensive player of the week three times this season.
He gives his teammates a lot of credit for his accolades due to them pushing him in practice so he can give his all during game time.
“If I’m not doing what I need to do, they’re going to hold me accountable, just as much as they celebrate me they’re going to hold me accountable,” Harris said.
The Bison will look to get back on track against Coppin State on Jan. 29 before heading to Newark, New Jersey, to face off against rival Hampton University in the third annual Legacy Classic.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
