Howard Lady Bison Captures 20th Win, Extends Streak to Seven

HOWARD UNIVERSITY 2011-12 LADY BISON BASKETBALL TEAM

ROSTER

Record: 20-7, 12-2 MEAC (Tied for 1st place with Hampton & FAMU)

HEAD COACH: Niki Reid Geckeler, 4th season (Georgetown '93)
Associate Head Coach: James Simmons, 1st season (Belford '98)
Assistant Coach: Brian Johnson, 4th season (Drexel '98)
Assistant Coach: Mathew Jones, 1st season


(Click photo to enlarge)

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- Tamoria Holmes hit a three pointer in the last six seconds of regulation to secure a 50-49 victory for Howard (20-7, 12-2 MEAC) in an exciting MEAC matchup against Coppin State (15-11, 10-3 MEAC). This marks the first 20-win season for the Lady Bison since the 2000-01 campaign when the team went 21-10 under head coach Cathy Parson.

The win also marks the seventh consecutive victory for the Lady Bison and puts HU ahead of Coppin in the MEAC standings, just under Hampton and Florida A&M.

Holmes tallied a game-high of 23 points while collecting four steals and grabbing five boards on the night. Saadia Doyle put together a solid effort with 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals.

Prior to tipoff, CSU was called for an administrative technical foul. HU gained a one point lead after converting on one-out-of two free throw attempts.

The Eagles began regulation with five-straight points. Doyle ended the run at 16:05 with a basket. Holmes then scored a lay-up to put the team to within one at the 15:41 mark.

The score remained tight as both teams battled to take the lead. By halftime the score was knotted 21-21.

Second half tipped off with a quick jumper by Holmes at the 19:40 mark for a 23-21 margin. Crystal Whittington tied the score again on the following play.

Larrissa Carter made a three-point play to give CSU a 46-43 advantage at the 2:13 mark. With 51 seconds left, Holmes then dropped a bucket inside the paint to decrease the margin to 46-45. CSU responded with a lay-up by Leola Spotwood with 41 seconds left in the ball game. Seconds later, a foul placed Spotwood on the free throw line. Spotwood converted just on one the stripe. Holmes answered with an immediate shot off the glass at 18 seconds. With the score set at 49-47, Holmes ended the game with a deep three-ball to win the game 50-49 over Coppin State.

Carter led CSU with 11 points and nine boards. Leola Spotwood pitched in with nine points. Crystal Whittington and Shawntae Payne both grabbed nine off the glass.

Howard forced CSU into 24 turnovers and gained 11 points from the Eagles' mishaps. The battle of the boards was won by Coppin State, 50-35. CSU converted only four points off of HU's 16 turnovers. Tough shooting night for both teams as Howard went 27 percent from the field (16-for-58), while Coppin State finished with a 33.9 clip (19-for-56).

HU will return home to face Maryland-Eastern Shore on Mon. Feb. 20 for senior night. Jump ball is set for 5:30 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium.

Follow Coach G's fan page on facebook to get a behind the scenes look at the team as they make their push toward the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler.

BOXSCORE

Written by Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information

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