Boxscore

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Zykia Brown had a game-high 26 points and Saadia Doyle contributed 22, but it was not enough as Howard fell to South Carolina State, 74-67 at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on Monday evening.

"We had a chance to tie it up, but didn't take advantage," said head coach Niki Reid Geckeler. "We got in a rush in the last four minutes and didn't make plays. We have to play better, make better decisions. We'll get better from it."

Second half play truly turned the contest into a "game of runs." After the Bulldogs (7-15, 2-8 MEAC) took a four-point lead at the half, South Carolina State put together a 19-3 stretch over the first six minutes of the second half. SCSU took an 18-point lead at the 12:20 mark, its largest lead of the night.

The Bulldogs could not find a way to ice the game, however, and HU countered with a 16-5 run of their own keyed by a Doyle layup with 4:43 remaining. Howard was within three points of the lead with 1:10 left in regulation.

The Bison could not capitalize on second chance opportunites, however, as a pair of layups and two treys rimmed out with under 30 seconds remaining. HU was forced to foul to gain possession and South Carolina State converted buckets at the charity stripe to hold on for the win.

Howard (11-11, 6-4) will have a bit of break before hosting North Carolina A&T on Saturday in a Pink Zone contest at Burr Gymnasium.