Boxscore

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Zykia Brown scored a game-high 20 points and Saadia Doyle recorded her 12^th double-double (10 points and 14 rebounds) of the season, but a combination of missed opportunities and turnovers proved to be too much to overcome as Bethune-Cookman (8-10 overall, 4-3 in the MEAC) edged Howard, 48-47 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's game at Burr Gymnasium.

The Lady Bison (8-10 overall, 4-3 in the MEAC) were coming off a close, hard-fought 69-68 overtime win over Florida A&M University on Saturday and were inspired by the return of their leader and leading scorer, Brown, who had missed the game with an ankle injury.

The 5-8 junior guard got Howard off to a good start by scoring 15 of her team's first half points.  But BC-U matched the Lady Bison as they hung tough to trail 26-24 at intermission.

In the second half, Howard had several opportunities to build a cushion, but each time they attempted to put some distance between them and the visitors, turnovers and missed easy shots allowed Bethune-Cookman to stay within striking distance.

"We missed shots and turned the ball over and when you do that, it catches up with you," said Howard Coach Niki Reid Geckeler.  "We turned the ball over 25 times and they scored 22 points.  We would get a steal and then give it right back."

The Lady Wildcats parlayed several hustle plays with the scoring of Jalisa Isaac, who led her team with 13, and Euneshia Proctor, who scored eight key points.  Jasmine Bugg came off the Bethune-Cookman bench to score nine points.

The key point in the game may have come with a little under four minutes left in the game when Howard took a 47-44 lead on a Doyle basket.  Following that field goal, the Lady Bison had three straight possessions, but failed to capitalize by missing two unconested layups and turning the ball over on a fast break opportunity.

Demetria Frank and Proctor then scored the final baskets of the game.  Howard still had a chance with four seconds remaining but Brown was called for a player control foul and Bethune-Cookman secured the win.

"You just have to learn from the experience and move on from here," said Coach Geckeler.

NEXT UP: Bethune-Cookman hosts South Carolina State on Saturday at 2 pm while the Bison travel to Princess Anne, MD to take on the Lady Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore at 2 pm.