title image via David Sierra
Courtesy of Ed Hill, Jr., retired Howard University Sports Information Director
72
Morgan
78
Winner HOW
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan | 37 | 35 | 72 |
| HOW | 35 | 43 | 78 |
Sophomore forward Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) came off the bench to score 15 of his game-high 16 points in the second half to lead five players in double figures as the Howard University men’s basketball team outlasted Morgan State (MSU), 78-72, in a key Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at Burr Gymnasium.
Odom, MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, was in his third game back after missing 11 games due to a back injury. The Bison (12-15, 6-4 MEAC) have struggled with injuries all season but perhaps none as important as that of Odom.
With yet another injury to starting guard Isiah Warfield (ankle injury), Howard needed a boost.
With the game still in the balance, Odom made a whitling dervish move, using a series head fakes and excellent footwork to escape two defenders to score. It seemed to energize him and his teammates. Despite all that, the Bears refused to go away.
An Odom basket in the paint again helped the Bison to a tenuous 72-69 lead with 1:07 remaining. Then his teammates made sure that they secured the victory.
Graduate forward Seth Towns(Columbus, Ohio), junior guards Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) and Marcus Dockery (Washington) all converted on their free throws as the Bison closed out the game.
The game was filled with a physical brand of play that featured 38 fouls, 49 free throws, 44 turnovers and overtime work that kept the athletic trainers busy.
But in the end, the Howard scoring balance, some deft free throw shooting (86-percent on 26-of-28, including 18-of-20 in the second half) and bench contribution (23-13 advantage) helped offset the mistakes (26 points off a season-high 25 turnovers).
In addition to his point total, Odom corralled four rebounds, dealt out four assists and blocked two shots.
Towns finished with 15 points, Harris with a double-double (12 points & 12 rebounds), Dockery with 11 points and five rebounds and DMV native graduate Jordan Hairston (Fairfax, Va.) with 10 important points.
Morgan State was led by Kamron Hobbs (15 points), Will Thomas (13 points), Allen Udemadu (11 points & four blocked shots) and Wynston Tabbs (11 points).
NEXT UP: Howard closes out its current four-game home stand when it hosts Coppin State Monday (Feb. 26) at 7:30 p.m. in The Burr.
Next Game: Coppin State 2/26/2024 | 7:30 P.M.
Team Statistics
| Game Stats | Morgan | HOW |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | .456 | .434 |
| 3FG% | .364 | .400 |
| FT% | .762 | .857 |
| RB | 25 | 39 |
| TO | 19 | 25 |
| STL | 11 | 8 |
