Howard Snaps Four Game Losing Streak

Baltimore, Maryland  --  Mike Phillips scored a team-high 15 points to lead four players in double as Howard University defeated Coppin State, 70-60 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at the Physical Education Complex. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bison.

Howard (4-12, 1-1 in the MEAC) took the early lead and never trailed, en route to a 31-25 lead at the half. Prince Okoroh (9 points) and Simuel Frazier (8 points) combined for 17 of Howard's first half points. The Bison shot 54 percent from the field in one of its better shooting performances of the year.

In the second half, Phillips picked up the slack, tallying 10 of his points. The Bison got some surprise production from its bench as Brandon Ford scored a season-high 10 points, eight coming after intermission.

A combination of some stifling defense and good work on the boards propelled Howard to a key 10-1 run that opened a 15-point lead, the largest of the game. Phillips, Okoroh and Simuel Frazier took turns to keep the Coppin State (3-13, 0-1 in the MEAC) at bay.

The Eagles were able to make a run and reduce the deficit to eight but Ford and Tre Lee were able to convert from the free throw line to put the game away. For the game, Howard shot 77 percent from the charity stripe.

On a down note, Calvin Thompson, the team leader and second leading scorer, went down with an injury at the start of the second half with an ankle injury that has been diagnosed as a dislocation. His status for the future is unknown.

Phillips added 7 rebounds to his 15 points, Okoroh and Frazier each scored 13 and Ford contributed 10.

The Eagles were led by Troy Franklin, who led all scorers with 24 and Michael Murray, who chipped in with 11.

NEXT UP: Howard hosts Hampton University on Saturday, January 12 at 4 pm in its conference home opener.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION