December 15, 2012

HOWARD ENDURES HEARTBREAKING 60-61 LOSS AGAINST GEORGE WASHINGTON

Written by Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director 

Howard at George Washington 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.howard-bison.com) - December 15 – After securing a game-high 13-point lead by the 5:26 mark of the second half, George Washington paced to a 19-5 run to defeat the mighty Lady Bison of Howard University 61-60 on Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Charles E. Smith Center on the GW campus. 

The Colonials snapped the Lady Bison win streak with a three-point basket at the .06 mark and took the lead with a free-throw for a four-point play by GW's Tara Booker. 

In the heartbreaking loss, freshman Imani Bailey scored a career-high 15 points, while seniors Saadia Doyle, Cheyenne Curley-Payne and Kara Smith each scored in double figures.  Doyle finished with 15, Curley-Payne tallied 14 and Smith netted 12 points, as Doyle pulled down nine rebounds and Curley-Payne circulated four assists and stole four GW possessions. 

By the number, HU was 33 percent from the field (17-52), 54 percent from the long range (7-13) and 63 percent from the free-throw line (19-30).

The Lady Bison secured a convincing first-half lead by the 7:20 mark with a 9-point margin lead.  In the first 20 minutes of play, HU went on a 10-0 run and held GW scoreless for over five minutes of play.  Curley-Payne, who was 2-of-3 from behind the arc, scored her first three-pointer at the 3:07 mark to attain HU's first double-figure lead. 

By the halftime intermission, Howard lead the host Colonials by seven 23-30. 

Well into the second-half of action, the Lady Bison appeared to be on their way to victory.  HU regained its 11-point lead by the 18:18 mark of the second half. 

In spite of tallying five fouls in six minutes of play and GW coming within a single-figure margin on two runs, HU fought through and reestablished its presence. 

Nonetheless, the home court advantage became apparent at the 5:26 mark.  

Howard missed seven free throws and four jumpers to allow GW's 19-5 run.  And even with the opportunity to win by one point, the HU offensive fire was lost as George Washington defeated Howard 60-61.

Howard drops to 4-5 on the season, while George Washington advances to 5-5.

The mighty blue and white returns to road action on Friday, Dec. 21 to face Pepperdine University in sunny Malibu, Calif.

For more information on Howard Women's Basketball, visit the official athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.

-HU-