The Bison (4-14, 1-3 in the MEAC) dropped another close game on Monday to Norfolk State at home. Despite falling behind in double digits, the feisty and undermanned Bison, battled their way back from an 11-point deficit in the last three minutes, but came up just short as the defending MEAC tournament champs made their free throws to eke out a 54-49 victory.

It was almost a case of déjà vu for Howard, which lost a similar game to Hampton on Saturday at home. In that game, the Bison had several opportunities but they missed their free throws and turned the ball over down the stretch. Howard have lost the last two games by a combined total of seven points.

"We play hard and give a good effort, but we can't seem to close out games," lamented Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "Part of the problem is fatigue due to our lack of depth."

He continued, "But I am encouraged. If we keep playing hard the way we are playing, it is going to turn around and the wins will come."

The Bison have lost three key players: freshman point guard Keon Hil, who tore his ACL before the season began; sophomore center Oliver Ellison, who fractured his leg in the pre season; and red-shirt senior guard, Calvin Thompson, the leading scorer and team leader, who suffered a serious foot injury in the Coppin State game and is out indefinitely.

In the Aggies (8-10, 1-2 in the MEAC), Howard faces a much-improved squad under first yearb veteran coach Cy Alexander. NC A&T has won three of its last four.

Following this game, the Bison will travel down the road to Durham, NC to take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central on Monday at 7:30 and will conclude this swing with a game against Delaware State in Dover, DE on Wednesday at 7 pm.