WASHINGTON, D.C. – Coach Kevin Nickelberry and the Howard University men's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season by blowing out Central Penn, 99-71, on Sunday afternoon at The Burr.Howard opened out the gate taking a 20-7 lead with 13 minutes to go in the first half while scoring 19 points off turnovers. HU capitalized off those miscues and began to pull away, taking a 40-14 lead with 8:30 remaining before intermission.
The Bison limited Central Penn to 36-percent (11-of-31) shooting in the first half, and just 33-percent (21-of-63) for the game.
In his season debut, junior Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the first half.
"We're going to score in transition," said Nickelberry after the game. "We have some exciting guys [that] get out in transition, and CJ [Charles Williams] helps because he finishes."
Howard finished the game with 23 points off 16 Central Penn turnovers and 12 fast break points.
BOX SCORE
"It's hard to guard with CJ, [Andre] Toure, and [Chad] Lott [on the floor]," Nickelberry added. "When we get deflections, we get going. I say all the time we have a lot of spread ability with this team. We can defend and I'm comfortable enough to know we're going to get our spurts. We're going to get our spurts off deflections and in transition."
At the break, the Bison took a 57-36 lead and picked up where they left off in the first half with a three-point play from redshirt junior Chad Lott (Shreveport, La.), two-hand slam by Williams, and a tip-in from freshman Akuwovo Ogheneyole (Delta State, Nigeria).
"RJ [Cole], CJ and Chad [Lott] can get 20 [points] on any night," Nickelberry commented. "We want to develop this. We already know about RJ and CJ and adding another scorer make guys play both sides of the floor."
The Bison also got to the line a lot, shooting a scorching 97-percent (32-of-33) from the charity stripe.
"Obviously, CJ helps your free throw [percentage] just by himself," Nickelberry continued. "He made 11-for-11 and we saw the ball go through the basket. Last year, we were up two [points] at halftime against this same team and we struggled to pull away at the end. Of course, we have a lot more talent, so it wasn't as challenging. But they continued to fight, and they tried to get after us. For me, it was more about our precision. I wasn't really happy with our precision."
Sophomore RJ Cole, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Player of the Year, added 14 points and eight assists while Lott finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Freshman Princewill Anosike (Lagos, Nigeria) chipped in with 10 points.
Central Penn was led by Noah Baylor, who had a double-double with 13 rebounds and 10 points. Ryan Lawrence added 12 points and Tyreak Woodard finished with 11 points.
The Bison continue their season Tuesday (Nov. 13) when they host Regent. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at The Burr.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
Noah Goodin, Sports Management Major, c/o 2019
HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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