Courtesy of Ed Hill, Jr., retired Howard University Sports Information Director
56
Howard 3-7,0-0 MEAC
81
DePaul 8-3,1-0 Big East
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 22 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 56 |
| DePaul | 26 | 12 | 24 | 19 | 81 |
CHICAGO, IL. – Junior Destiny Howell scored a team-high 22 points while senior Iyanna Warren added 10, but it was not enough to offset the spectacular play of Darrione Rogers and the rest of her team as Howard University dropped an 81-56 decision to DePaul University (8-3) at the Wintrust Arena before a raucous crowd of 6,523.
The Bison (3-7) rode the scoring of Aziah Hudson early, who tallied all of her seven points in the first stanza as the Bison stayed close, trailing 26-22 at the quarter. But Rogers took over and helped the Blue Demons to a 12-4 run, including an 11-0 blitz, to break the game wide open.
“I didn’t go very deep into my bench, but neither did DePaul,” explains Howard Head Coach Ty Grace. “We struggled to score in the second quarter and scored only four points. That just isn’t good enough when you play a quality team like DePaul. They made a run and we never countered.”
A 5-10 guard and first team All-MEAC selection, Howell was able to help her team keep pace early in the third quarter, but Rogers’ teammates got into the act. In all, four DePaul players scored in double figures. Rogers recorded a triple-double of 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Teammates Jorie Allen chipped in with 21, Kendall Holmes with 17 and Amaya Peoples with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“Rogers is a very talented player,” said Coach Grace. “She stepped up when (team-leading scorer) Aneesah Morrow went out. We knew she was capable of performing the way she did.”
Added Howell, “We kept it close in the first quarter but then we couldn’t put the ball in the basket; then, we had a couple of defensive lapses and it changed the flow of the game.” Howell recorded four rebounds, two steals and two assists to her stat line.
The game was a homecoming for Howard senior forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis, who tallied seven points a team-leading nine rebounds in a losing cause.
“Although I wanted to get the win, it felt good to be home,” said an emotional Fort-Davis after the game. “I was overwhelmed with joy. My family and friends made it all worth it. The biggest joy was the Chicago kids who came to the game. After the game, a group of them came to talk to me and it felt good that I can be a role model for my community.”
The turnout was the largest of the season for the Bison. Coach Grace feels that it will be of value to the team later in the season.
“It was a great atmosphere for a women’s basketball game,” noted Coach Grace. “Although the score will not reflect it, the team played solid despite the distractions and loud noise. It will definitely prepare us for tough road games in hostile environments down the road.”
NEXT UP: The Bison host North Texas on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 pm in Burr Gymnasium. The team encourages all to bring canned goods to donate this holiday season.
Next Game: North Texas 12/18/2022 | 2 P.M.
