Over their opening week of home games at John H. Burr Gymnasium, the Howard University men’s basketball team showcased both its potential and its growing pains.
Facing a South Eastern Conference powerhouse, a local Division II rival and a fellow historically Black college, the Bison experienced the full arc of competition, from early-season lessons to moments of brilliance.
The home stand began on Nov. 3 with a matchup against the University of Missouri Tigers, a team built on size, athleticism and SEC-caliber discipline.
From the opening tip, Missouri controlled the tempo, and in the paint en route to an 88–67 victory. The Tigers shot for 55 percent from the field and more than 50 percent from beyond the arc, while outrebounding Howard 47–28.
Despite the defeat, graduate guard Bryce Harris turned in a standout performance, scoring 27 points through assertive drives and smooth perimeter shooting.
Freshman guard Alex Cotton complemented him with 20 points of his own, draining six three-pointers that helped the Bison stay competitive throughout the night.
Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney remained composed in defeat, viewing the matchup as an early-season checkpoint for his team’s development.
“You don’t measure growth by easy wins,” Blakeney said. “You measure it by how you respond to challenges like this.”
In the stands, senior communications major Kalis Smith echoed that sentiment.
“You could tell Missouri had more size, but I loved how our guys fought back,” Smith said. “You can’t teach heart — and we’ve got plenty of that.”
Three nights later, on Nov. 6, the Bison flipped the narrative.
Hosting the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds, Howard exploded offensively, racing to a 60–33 halftime lead and cruising to a 103–71 victory. The Bison played with energy and precision, shooting over 50 percent from three-point range and dominating nearly every statistical category.
Harris once again set the tone with 20 points and eight rebounds, while graduate guard Cam Gillus delivered a flawless performance, scoring 18 points on 6-of-6 shooting and orchestrating the offense with composure.
Cotton added another strong showing, spreading the floor and igniting the crowd with back-to-back deep threes midway through the first half.
Afterward, Blakeney praised his team’s performance. “That’s who we can be — sharing the ball, defending hard, and playing with joy,” he said. “The guys took what we learned from Missouri and applied it right away. That’s progress.”
Burr Gymnasium was electric that night, with students chanting “H-U, you know!” as Howard crossed the 100-point mark.
“It felt like Burr was alive again,” said Olivia Matthews, junior business major. “We’ve missed that energy. This team plays with pride, and when they get hot, it’s fun to watch.”
The homestand finale on Nov. 9 brought a much-anticipated HBCU showdown against Grambling State University.
The atmosphere buzzed with intensity — fans dressed in black and red filled one side of the bleachers, while Howard supporters answered with a wave of blue and white enthusiasm.
From tip-off to the final buzzer, it was a tightly contested, emotional affair.
Both teams shot the ball well, but turnovers and second-chance opportunities ultimately separated them. Grambling’s Jamil Muttilib finished with a team-high 21 points, while Harris led Howard with 15.
The Bison held a slim lead midway through the second half, but a late three-pointer from Grambling’s Tra’Michael Moton sealed a 73–70 victory for the visitors.
“We competed, but we didn’t close,” said Blakeney in the postgame presser. “It’s about execution in the last two minutes — rebounding, communication and valuing the ball. That’s what separates winning from almost winning.”
Harris says, “It wasn’t about one play or one player — it came down to execution as a group. We’ve got to tighten up late, communicate better, and trust each other in those pressure moments.”
Fans leaving the gym shared that same bittersweet feeling — pride in the effort, but hunger for more.
“This was an HBCU classic-level game,” said Kendyl Howell, a 2025 graduate. “You can see the talent on both sides. Howard’s right there — they just have to take that next step.”
Across the three-game stretch, Howard showed signs of a team with significant potential through Harris’ steady production, Cotton’s perimeter shooting and Gillus’ composure.
As the Bison move deeper into their nonconference schedule, Burr Gymnasium has already witnessed both promise and growing pains.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
