Poor Free Throw Shooting Dooms Howard In Loss To WSSU
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
- Howard had its worst free throw shooting performance in
over two years and it proved to be costly as the Bison dropped a
62-55 decision to Winston-Salem State University in a
non-conference men's game at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum. The
loss snapped a four-game win streak for Howard.
The Bison (7-17) struggled throughout against the Rams, a team they
had defeated in January. WSSU was not exactly playing great
but it was able to maintain a comfortable lead through the first
half, taking a lead to the locker room. Brian Fisher, who led
his team with 15 points, led the way with 10 points.
The Rams (7-16) extended their lead to 13 and maintained double
digit lead for most of the second half. The Bison could have
cut into the deficit, but they missed 17 of their 25 attempts in
the final 20 minutes while finishing with a woeful 13 of 36 from
the charity stripe.
Jemarcus McClinton and Jamal Durham helped the Rams put the game
away as they came off the bench to combine for 17 second half
points. Howard was able to stay within scoring distance as
Eugene Myatt and Adam Walker each scored 15. Myatt, the MEAC Player
of the Week, had come into the game averaging over 22 points in his
last three outings.
The Bison were also hurt by the lack of scoring from sophomore
guard Kyle Riley, who came into the game scoring in double figures
in all of the games during the streak, but managed only two
points.
WSSU was able to overcome 26 turnovers by out-rebounding the Bison,
36-24.
GAME NOTES: Walker had his best outing of the
season, hitting all seven of his shots from the field while dishing
out a career-best four assists...Howard was also hurt by the lack
of production from junior center Paul Kirkpatrick, who was coming
off a big game, but scored only three points and grabbed two
rebounds in 27 minutes.
NEXT UP: The Bison will try to stay in the
race for one of the top five seeds when they return to
conference play on Monday against the Bulldogs of South Carolina
State at 7:30 pm in Orangeburg, SC while the Rams host the Pirates
of Hampton on Monday at 7:30 p.m.