Howard Lady Bison Fend Off DSU Hornets In MEAC Opener

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, DC --- The tough non-conference schedule and brutal road slate the Howard women's basketball team put itself to prepare for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play paid immediate dividends Thursday evening at Burr Gymnasium.

Led by a trio of double-digit scorers, Howard (5-8, 1-0 MEAC) claimed a hard fought 70-64 victory over Delaware State (3-9, 0-2 MEAC) in the Lady Bison's conference opener. HU's first win of 2014 in their first home win since November 17 improved the team's record in Burr Gymnasium to 3-0.

Howard head coach Tennille Adams, who won her first conference game as a head coach said of today's game, "It was great to play at home again and take on a very tough Delaware State team. We've preached this all year, that each game in the MEAC is going to be a grind. This is a very good conference, a very athletic conference. We stayed composed, didn't panic and had some kids hit shots at critical points in the game. I'm proud of our effort today

Redshirt freshman guard Te'Shya Heslip scored a team-high 22 points - the eight time in 13 games that the Dumfries, VA native has paced HU in scoring - and added seven assists and three rebounds.

"Te'Shya has the ability to make everyone else on the floor better because she commands so much attention. That opens the game up for everyone else, which then opens things up more for her," Adams added. "I think she's one of the best guards in this league and she's only a freshman, so this is her first go-round. She has a bright future if she continues to be a student of the game."

Graduate student forward Shavonne Duckett contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds – her first double-double of the season, third for the team and second in three games – and junior forward Cheyenne Brown pitched in 10 first-half points. Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Sydni Johnson chipped in eight points including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Both teams opened the game with strong defense and extended scoring runs. Delaware State forced Howard into four turnovers as the Hornets took a 15-4 lead five minutes into the contest. The Lady Bison would settle in and strike back with an 18-2 run of their own – thanks in part to seven forced turnovers – and took a 22-17 lead with 5:54 to go in the first half. DSU would close out the half with a 10-4 run and led 27-26 heading into intermission.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw both teams combine for six ties and four lead changes but Delaware State would emerge about a minute later with its largest lead of the half, 52-46 with 9:15 remaining in the game. Not to be denied, the Lady Bison used a 14-4 run to force three more ties before taking the lead for good with 3:07 to go.

Howard won the game by claiming four major stats – scoring 27 points off 27 DSU turnovers, scoring 13 second chance points and getting 11 points off the bench.

Delaware State had three players score in double digits, led by junior forward Tierra Hawkins' double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Howard will look to go 2-0 in conference on Saturday, January 4 when the Lady Bison head to Baltimore to take on the Morgan State Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Box Score

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION