No.1 Ranked Baylor Lady Bears Blows Past Howard Lady Bison

Howard Lady Bison 28, Baylor Lady Bears 82

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Waco, Texas -- Howard trailed No. 1 Baylor even before tipoff because of a technical foul. Things only got worse in the season opener once Brittney Griner and the Lady Bears really got their hands on the ball.

Baylor scored the game's first 28 points, including the technical free throw because Howard didn't turn in its starting lineup in time, and went on to an 82-28 victory in a preseason WNIT game Friday night.

"When you're playing the No. 1 team in the country, and there's not another team in the country that has a 6-8 in the middle who can do what (Griner) does," Howard coach Niki Reid-Geckeler said. "They came out and controlled the game from the beginning."



Griner began her junior season with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots and Baylor easily won its first season opener as a No. 1 team. Griner, the 6-foot-8 phenon who was a unanimous preseason AP All-America selection, had nine points in Baylor's opening 11-minute surge that matched Howard's scoring total for the entire game.

"It feels good to be back on the court," Griner said. "Definitely, I remember that last game, I wish we could start in March."

During pregame, the Lady Bears unveiled three more banners in the rafters -- one each for their Big 12 regular season championship, Big 12 tournament title and making it to another NCAA regional final.

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Howard Women's Soccer Welcomes Eight For 2011-12 Season

Howard Coach Brent Leiba 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard women’s soccer head coach Brent Leiba welcomes eight newcomers to the Bison soccer program for the 2011 season. The 2011 recruiting class includes seven high school standouts that signed National Letters of Intent and one transfer.

Coming to Howard to don the blue and white will be midfielder/forward Marisa Ammaturo (Avon, Colo.), forward Ayanna Carter (Fulton, Md.), goalkeeper Kyra Dickinson (Brampton, Ontario), defender Treschelle Gibson-Serrette (Scarborough, Ontario), forward Jeseca Hinds (Jacksonville, N.C.), defender Selena Mason (Frederick, Md.), goalkeeper Natasha Moore (Bristow, Va.), and midfielder/forward Nia Walcott (Beltsville, Md.).

Marisa Ammaturo (Midfielder/Forward) – Avon, Colo. – played her first two years with the varsity soccer team at Battle Mountain High School. Ammaturo was the leading goal scorer her final year with 25 goals and 17 assists. From there she attended IMG Soccer Academy which was ranked No. 3 in the state of Florida.

Ayanna Carter (Forward) – Fulton, Md. – started and played her high school soccer at Atholton High School. Carter played her club ball with Laurel Premier, which participates in Division I of the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). She was an integral part in helping her club team win two Maryland State Cup Championships and one Region I championship.

Kyra Dickinson (Goalkeeper) – Brampton, Ontario (Canada) – was a four year varsity soccer player at Heart Lake Secondary School. Dickinson played her club ball with Brams United, and Master’s Futbol Academy. She was selected to a team that played against the Canadian Women’s National Team.

Treschelle Gibson-Serrette (Defender) – Scarborough, Ontario (Canada) – member of the U-17 Trinidad & Tobago National Team. Gibson-Serrette attended and played high school soccer at Sir John A. Macdonald, where she was named MVP and Girls Athlete of the Year. She played her club ball for Scarborough United (Provincial team), which were League and Cup champions, and Master’s Futbol Academy. She was selected by the Provincial Identification Camp to play for the Regional soccer team.

Jeseca Hinds (Forward) – Jacksonville, N.C. – a four year varsity soccer player for Southwest High School. She was the leading goal scorer three out of her four years. Hinds served as an integral part in helping her team win the Conference Championship and States in 2010. She was named to the 1st Team All-Conference and All-Area Team in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Hinds played club ball for the Onslow County Soccer Association and most recently with the Carolina Select.

Selena Mason (Defender) – Frederick, Md. – transferred from Florida Southern. Mason played varsity soccer and attended Tuscarora High School, in which she was named All-Area honorable mention and was integral in helping her team become Maryland State Champions. She played club ball for the Bethesda Blast and Bethesda Sharks. Mason was a valuable part in helping her team reach two regional finals, becoming U.S. Club Soccer Regional Champions, and winning five Maryland State Cup Championships.

Natasha Moore (Goalkeeper) – Bristow, Va. – a four year varsity starter at Stonewall Jackson High School. She was selected as the team captain and awarded the Defensive Player of the Year. She was named to the All-District Team and was a member of the Virginia ODP system and played club ball for the Sterling Avalanche and NOVA FC.

Nia Walcott (Midfielder/Forward) – Beltsville, Md. – member of the U-17 Trinidad & Tobago National Team. Walcott was a four year varsity starter at Elizabeth Seton High School where she was named to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) 1st Team in her junior and senior years. She was also named to the Prince George’s All-County 1st Team her junior and senior years. Walcott additionally won the Coaches Award her senior year. The senior standout was also named to the All-Metropolitan 2nd Team her final year and was a member of the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) as a Regional Pool candidate. She played club ball with Freestate United Elite Club National League (ECNL) team which were Maryland State Cup semi-finalist and Region I League Champions.


By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: Howard-Bison Athletics
Visit: Great West Conference Women's Soccer (Associate Member)

Red Flash Snap Howard's Three-Game Winning Streak

LORETTO, PA. (March 13, 2011) – The Lady Bison lacrosse team suffered their first loss during the month of March after dropping 19-3 to Saint Francis (Pa.), ending their three-game winning streak.

Howard (3-4) started slow compared to the Red Flash (2-4) who sprinted to a 9-0 lead with 16 minutes into the opening half. Senior Desiree Cox scored Howard’s first goal in the first half with 13:55 left on the clock. The Red Flash limited Cox to only one score, marking a season low for Howard’s leading scorer.

The Lady Bison were outshot 16-31. The Bison recorded six saves while St. Francis chimed in with nine.

Cox and Courtland Lackey led the Bison with five shots a piece, while Cheryse Cox and Cynithia Smalls garnered two each. Chastity Dailey managed to only throw in one shot, but made it worthwhile as she converted it into Howard's second goal during the second half.

Lackey was responsible for the Lady Bison’s remaining goal. Lackey found the back of the net with 1:15 left in regulation to round out the final score, 19-3.

The Red Flash were able to secure the game over the Lady Bison after controlling every major statistical category.

Saint Francis dominated the draw control throughout the game, generating a 13-5 advantage. The Lady Bison were unable to grab ground balls in the second half, as Saint Francis garnered 12. Overall, the Bison relinquished 16 ground balls to their opponents, and only scooped up one throughout the entire game.

The Lady Bison will look to bounce back from their loss as they hit the road to take on Central Connecticut State on Friday, March 18 at 3 p.m.

Visit Howard-Bison.com for more updates on the Lady Bison lacrosse team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

Six HU Bison Score in 17-7 Win over Wilmington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After splitting four games at Greene Stadium over the course of the season, the Howard lacrosse team looked to sack their third consecutive win at home against Wilmington (Del.) on March 9. The match marked Wilmington’s (1-2) third match of their regular season and they too were hoping to capitalize on another consecutive win, however, Howard (3-3) would be the team to come out on top, stretching their winning streak to three games, as they defeated Wilmington, 17-7.

The Bison found a fluid rhythm, racking in seven goals in the first half. Six members of the Bison tallied goals in the win, while senior Desiree Cox finished with seven goals and a game-leading two assists. Behind Cox in scoring was Cynithia Smalls with three goals, Cheryse Cox and Tynes Taylor with two, and Ashley Lawrence with one.

Cox exploded in the early minutes of the game with three quick scores after charging down the field and dodging multiple defenders with ease. Cox added two more goals before the close of the half.

Following halftime Wilmington picked up momentum after Howard gave their opponent a goal where a Howard defender mistakenly flipped the ball into the net with the intention of passing it to goalie Amber Meeks on a scramble in the box. Wilmington’s Danielle Niccoli shortly after scored their fourth goal on a free position shot.

Howard quickly regained control of the game with three goals of their own, extending their lead, 11-4.

Defensively, Howard kept Wilmington off balance, limiting their opponents to a mere 24.1 shooting percentage (7-29). Meanwhile Howard boasted a 65.4 shooting percentage, scoring 17 goals on 26 shots. Meeks recorded an astounding 15 saves and allowed only four shots to get into the net, marking the fewest points scored by an opponent thus far into the season.

Up next the Lady Bison will travel to meet St. Francis (Pa.) on March 13 in hopes of claiming their first win on the road and fourth consecutive win. Visit Howard-Bison.com for more updates on the Howard lacrosse team.

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com

Doyle Leads Howard To Win Over Norfolk State

Winston-Salem, NC -- Saadia Doyle scored a game-high 23 points to lead four players in double figures and help Howard University defeat Norfolk State, 68-56 in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's tournament at the Lawrence V. Joel Coliseum.

The 2011 MEAC Player of the Year, Doyle got the Lady Bison (14-17) off to a fast start, scoring 13 of her points in the first half as Howard jumped out to an early lead and hold a 40-24 advantage at the half. A 5-11 sophomore forward from Atlanta, GA, Doyle connected on 5 of 7 from the field.

"When you have the MEAC Player of the Year, a lot of teams gear their defense towards her her," said Howard Coach Niki Reid Geckeler. "She's had to come out and play against double and triple teams all season. So her fast start was huge. It set the tone for us and opened up things for the other players."

The Lady Bison, the Number 6 seed, got a nice boost from sophomore guard Adele Walton, who provided some perimeter shooting with 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field and sophomore forward Kara Smith.

"Adele is a shooter and in the first half, she loosened up things for us offensively with her outside shooting," said Coach Geckeler. "Kara gave us something also with her scoring and her rebounding. We are hopeful that they can continue to play like this the rest of the tournament."

The Lady Spartans (9-19), the Number 11 seed, were not able to stay with Howard, mostly due to their mistakes which the Lady Bison converted into scored 16 points.

Riding the scoring of sophomore guard Tamoria Holmes, the Lady Bison increased their lead to 20 in the first minute of the second half and appeared to have the game in hand.

But the Lady Spartans rallied on the scoring freshman of Rachel Gordon, junior Whitney Long and freshman Rae Corbo to reduce the lead to eight at the four-minute mark. Norfolk State's comeback attempt was fueled by the absence of Lady Bison sophomore point guard Cheyenne Curley Payne, who was forced to the bench when she picked up her fourth foul.

"We had to go man-to-man because we got a little too deep," explained Norfolk State Coach Debra Clark. "When we started making the run, we picked them up fullcourt and that generated offense for us."

But Doyle converted four free throws, Curley Payne got inside the lane for a tough basket and Holmes made an acrobatic shot with the shot clock winding down to help Howard advance to Thursday's quarterfinal round against North Carolina A&T on Thursday at 12 noon.

Doyle just missed a double double with 23 points and nine rebounds while Holmes and Curley Payne each tallied 13 and Walton contributed 10, all coming in the first half. Curley Payne also tied her career-high of eight assists.

Norfolk State was led by Corbo, who finished with a team-high 14, Gordon with 12 and Whitney Long with 10 off the bench, all coming in the second half.

Howard and North Carolina A&T split during the regular season, each winning at home.

"I think that any game this time of the season is competitive," said Geckeler. "We talk about March and it's one and done. We are coming into this game to play Howard basketball and see what happens."

By Howard University Media Relations

Visit: howard-bison.com

Perfect at Burr, HU Defeats B-CU Wildcats 54-39

Howard University Lady Bison Coach Niki Reid Geckeler

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Howard Bison women’s basketball team successfully took down the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 54-39, leaving the Bison at running on a perfect eight-game MEAC winning streak at Burr Gymnasium, and on a three-game winning streak overall.

“We play well at home,” sophomore Tamoria Holmes said. “We are all just comfortable and we want to play good for our friends and family.”

Howard (13-15, 9-5 MEAC) dominated the game’s momentum during the opening half and went on to lead 27-20. Keeping the Bison at the forefront were sophomores Saadia Doyle, Cheyenne Curley-Payne and Holmes.

“Saadia is a premiere player in this conference,” head coach Niki Geckeler said. “Anytime Saadia is in the game it opens it up for our other players such as Tamoria, Cheyenne and Adele. We are able to get confidence from our guards.”

Doyle, who was recognized by the MEAC as one of the conference’s top performers this week and for the third time of the season, finished the game with a double-double after leading the Bison in points (22) and rebounds (10). Doyle was also perfect behind the free throw line (6-6).

Doyle is now seven points away from reaching the landmark 1,000-points milestone, leaving her on pace to become one of Howard’s all-time leading scorers.

Alongside Doyle was Holmes, who went 2-for-4 behind the arc en-route to 12 points on the night. Curley-Payne went 3-of-9 from the field and chimed in with two three-pointers while also leading the team in assists (7) and steals (3). Curley-Payne tied for second on the team alongside Portia Deterville with rebounds (5).

Turnovers would cost the Wildcats (12-13, 5-8 MEAC) the game as they surrendered 21 compared to Howard’s 13. The Bison would take advantage of Bethune-Cookman’s turnovers, converting them into 24 points over the course of the game.

“We focused on taking away the high posts and guard penetrations,” Geckeler said. “We wanted to box out more and not let BCU have any offensive rebounds.”

Both Howard and Bethune-Cookman were nearly even in rebounding, (HU-33, BC-32), however the Bison were fought harder near the rim to produce 16 points on second chances. Compared to Howard, the Wildcats only notched eight points on second chances.

Overall Howard shot 41.2 percent from the field (21-of-51) while BC was held to 31.1 percent (14-of-45).

“Right now is crunch time,” Geckeler said. “FAMU and BCU were both big for us Now, we are calling our games coming up ‘championship week’.”

The Bison will look to maintain perfection at home as they host Hampton on Thursday, Mar. 3 for their final game of the regular season. Before meeting their MEAC rival, Howard will travel to take on Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. where Doyle is expected to burst through the 1,000 point mark.

By Tiffany White
Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

Howard Lady Bison Basketball Extends Home Win-Streak to Seven

WASHINGTON, DC – The Howard University women’s basketball team extended its home winning streak to seven with a 67-58 win over Florida A&M (13-11, 8-5 MEAC) on Saturday, February 19. With the win, the Lady Bison split the season series with the Rattlers and improve to 7-5 in MEAC play.

Saadia Doyle led the all scorers with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The redshirt-sophomore is now 29 points away from 1,000. Tamoria Holmes recorded a flawless game with 14 points, five assists, and no turnovers in 35 minutes of action. Adelle Walton proved to be a spark off the bench with 11 points off 4-of-6 shooting from the floor. Cheyenne Curley-Payne chipped in with eight points and eight boards.

“This win was very important,” said Curley-Payne. “Our goal is to finish with a good seed in the [conference] tournament.”

The HU defense converted 19 FAMU turnovers into 14 points. Howard also won the battle of the boards, 40-37 – including 15 offensive – and scored 13 points of second chance opportunities. The Lady Bison dominated in the paint, outscoring Florida A&M 36-12.

HU began the game with a 7-0 run, capped by a Doyle layup. FAMU was held scoreless until an Antonia Bennett basket at the 15:53 mark. The spread was 14-7 midway through the period and Howard used an 11-3 run over a three-plus span to take its largest lead of the game, 25-10 with 6:30 left in the half. The Lady Bison took a slim 29-21 advantage at intermission.

In the second stint, HU pushed the margin back to double-digits behind a Curley-Payne jumper to start the period. FAMU chipped into the Lady Bison lead and outscored Howard 12-7 over a three-plus span to make it 38-33 at the 12:47 mark. The Rattlers used a Tameka McKelton shot from behind the arc to for a 40-36 score with 11:49 remaining in regulation.

Florida A&M would not get any closer as Howard went on an 11-1 run to push the spread back to double-digits (52-37). Walton hit two three-pointers during that run. The San Diego, Calif. native went 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

For the Rattlers, Bennett tallied a game-high 19 points. McKelton and Jasmine Grice finished with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Prior to the game, HU was tied for fourth place in the MEAC with North Carolina A&T, while Florida A&M held the third spot. Howard will look to continue its home win streak as it hosts Bethune-Cookman on Mon. Feb. 21 beginning at 6 p.m.

By Jamilah Corbitt
Assistant Director of Sports Information
Howard University