Howard Downs Maryland Eastern Shore On Dickerson’s Hot Shooting
Princess Anne, MD---Anton Dickerson came off the bench to score 12 if his game-high 17 points in the second half and lead Howard University to a 49-45 come-from-behind win over Maryland Eastern Shore in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bison (7-22, 4-11 in the MEAC) while the Hawks (2-22, 2-11 in the MEAC) lost their second straight.
After UMES took a 35-23 lead, the biggest of the game, on a Louis Bell three pointer at the 10:50 mark, Howard mounted its comeback. Alfonso Leary and Simuel Frazier got it started as they each scored baskets. Then Tre Lee converted on two free throws to cut the deficit to 35-29 at the 9:28 mark.
From there, Dickerson went on his torrid, long-range shooting display, hitting four bombs during a four-minute span that helped fuel an 18-2 rally that gave the Bison a 41-37 lead at the 4:42 mark.
"Anton's shooting was huge for us," said Howard coach Kevin Nickelberry. "He is one of the few players that I have coached who I have to tell him to shoot. I can live with his misses. He did a great job and gave us a big lift."
Howard turned up its defense and began to control the boards, a key to taking a 46-37 lead with 2:15 remaining. Frazier and Prince Okoroh proved the cushion with key points during the run.
"At halftime, we had a spirited talk," said Nickelberry. "I thought we were a bit tentative in the first half. We talked about being more aggressive and winning the battle on the boards. Mike and Alfonso probably sacrificed some of their scoring for the work that they did on the boards. That was a key factor along with our pressure defense which enabled us to get points."
The Hawks were able to climb their way back in the game on a three point basket by Troy Snyder and an Ishaq Pitt layup, narrowing the deficit to 46-42 with 27.8 seconds on the clock.
But the Bison were able to close it out with free throw shooting as Lee hit on one of two and Calvin Thompson, who saw his first action in 12 games converted on both of his attempts to put the game away.
The Hawks were led by Dominique Cowell, who scored 11 of his team-high 14 in the first half and Bell, who tallied 11 of his 14 after the break.
Lee chipped in with 11 points for the Bison while Mike Phillips and Leary each grabbed 8 rebounds, enabling the Bison to hold a 38-27 advantage.