January 10, 2011

Baltimore, MD—January 10—Michael Harper came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points and Lee Jordan got into the act with 14 as Coppin State got 52 of its points in an 84-53 win over Howard in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at the Physical Education Complex.

The Bison (2-13 overall, 0-3), who were already short on players due to season-ending injuries, were further handicapped by the absence of key reserves Gary Lawrence and Clint Cuffee, who sat out the game for personal reasons.

The Bison seemed to be in good shape when they took an early lead and then played nip-and-tuck with the Eagles (6-8 overall, 1-2 in the MEAC) before the hosts went to their bench.  Harper and Jordan entered the game and quickly combined for 16 points during an 18-4 spurt that led to a 36-22 lead at the half.

Howard, on the other hand, was not able to match Coppin State's bench.  Freshman center Alphonso Leary led his team with 9 points and Mike Phillips and Anton Dickerson each contributed 5 but the reserves scored only one free throw.

The Eagles took advantage to put the game away at the beginning of the second half as reserves Vince Goldsberry and Branden Doughty picked up where Harper and Jordan left off.

The Bison, who were playing their second game in three days with a short bench, appeared to have little in their tank as they were outmuscled, 40-16 in the paint, gave up 31 points off turnovers and 22 points off fast breaks.

Dickerson came out of a three-game slump to lead Howard with 16 points, while Leary and Phillips finished with 13 and 10, respectively.  Dadrian Collins added 8.

NEXT UP: Howard hosts North Carolina A&T on Saturday at 4 pm while the Eagles host North Carolina Central on Saturday at 4 pm.