March 14, 2013

Written by Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director

No. 3 Howard v. No. 6 Morgan State

Photo Gallery

Post-Game Interview (Coach G, Saadia Doyle and Cheyenne Curley-Payne)

NORFOLK, VA. (www.howard-bison.com) – March 14 – With the contest gridlocked 60-60 at the 24-second mark, senior Nicole Deterville sent the Howard University women's basketball team to semifinal action with a buzzer-beating putback layup for a 62-60 win over No. 6 Morgan State University on Thursday, March 14 in Norfolk, Va., during the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Scope Arena.

Alongside N. Deterville's game-winning effort, senior Saadia Doyle attained her ninth double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Cheyenne Curley-Payne tallied her fourth double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.   Doyle was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, as Curley-Payne circulated four assists and seized two steals.

With gratitude to Doyle's effort, Howard shot 83 percent from the charity stripe, 39 percent from the field and 21 percent from the field.

Morgan State put Howard to the test from the opening minute of play, as MSU's leading score Bianca Jarrett, who finished with a team-high 34 points, put the Lady Bears ahead 6-0.

On a 9-3 run, Howard tied the contest 9-9 by the 16:00 mark.

As MSU's team constructed a complete offense to tally an additional four ties and two additional lead changes, before both squads headed into the halftime intermission with a score of 29-29.

By the half, Curley-Payne led HU with 12 points, while Jarrett guided MSU with 21 points and a 5-of-10 outing from the long range.

The herd hit the ground running as the second-half of play commenced with Howard reaching a game-high nine-point lead on a 23-13 run, 52-43.

MSU's Dinah Jenkins ignited her squad's 13-4 run for the 10^th tie of the contest, sending Howard to the bench to gather its composure and return to the intended game plan.

By the 39-second mark, Howard reached a three-point lead.  But, MSU sharp-shooter Jarrett fought for another chance at the MEAC title, as she hit a three-pointer at the 24-second mark for the final tie of the afternoon.

Nonetheless, with the seconds running down on the clock N. Deterville pulled down the third offensive rebounds and scored a putback layup to secure Howard's semifinal appearance on Friday, March 15 against No. 2 North Carolina A&T State University in Scope Arena at 2:30 p.m. in Norfolk, Va.

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

-HU-