Howard defeats St. Francis-Brooklyn in overtime, 72-69

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University Women's Basketball team earned its third straight win with a 72-69 overtime victory over St. Francis-Brooklyn (SFC) inside Burr Gymnasium.

Four Bison reached double-figures, led by sophomore Ayonna Williams. The D.C. native had a game-high 19 points, five boards, and two dimes in the win.

SFC's Alex Delaney connected on two freebies and gave the Terriers a slim advantage with 3:43 remaining in the third, 47-46. HU responded and closed the period an 11-3 run to take a seven-point lead into the fourth, 57-50.

St. Francis opened the fourth with a 7-0 spurt and tied the contest after layup from Abby Anderson, 57-57. Howard regained the upper hand and held a five-point advantage with less than 90 ticks remaining. SFC battled back as Dana Direnzo scored the final five points of the period, including the layup that sent the game into overtime, 63-63.

Sophomore Jayla Myles tied the contest with a layup at the 2:13 mark in OT. Then, spilt a pair of free throws and gave the Bison its first lead in the fifth period. From then on, HU never relinquished the lead.

Myles, senior Tajzhane Dopson, and freshman Tariah Johnson each had 10 points. Sophomore Imani Bryant racked up 10 rebounds, five points, and three rejections in the victory.

St. Francis took a double-digit lead after one, 25-15. After shooting 50-percent (10-of-20) in the first period, SFC could not duplicate in the second period as they shot under 40-percent (3-of-8); thus, the Bison capitalized and scored 14 unanswered to take the lead with more than five minutes before intermission, 29-25.

SFC went 7-of-8 at the foul line and kept themselves in the game. HU took the lead late in the second, but a layup from Delaney tied the contest at intermission, 38-38.

For SFC (3-6), Jade Johnson recorded a team-best 14 points while Delaney and Direnzo combined for 23 points in a losing effort.

HU begins a three-game road trip at Cincinnati (Dec. 14). Game-time is set for 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

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