WASHINGTON, D.C. - Redshirt freshman Tierra Hawkins (Clinton, Md.) posted a game-high 17 points but it wasn't enough as the Delaware State University women's basketball team succumbed to Howard University, 59-49, Monday evening at Burr Gymnasium.
The Lady Bison jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game before a 3-pointer from sophomore Tasia Bristow (Baltimore, Md.) sparked a 10-0 DSU run, which included another Bristow trey. The run was capped by a jumper from Hawkins at 12:47, which gave the Lady Hornets their lone lead of the game at 12-11.
Howard responded with their own 13-2 run, including six points from the free throw line, to go up, 24-14, with 6:24 left in the first half.
Freshman Chelsea Dukes (Baltimore, Md.) drained her second 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead to six at 32-26 with 2:14 on the clock. Redshirt sophomore Uchechi Ahaiwe (Riverdale, Md.) put the halftime score at 36-28 with a layup in the paint before time expired.
The Lady Bison started the second half with an 8-2 stretch to go up, 44-30. HU extended their lead to 17 at 55-38 with 8:04 remaining with a trey from Zykia Brown.
Hawkins led Del State over the final minutes; scoring DSU's seven of their next nine points to cut the lead to 10 at 57-47. The Lady Hornets were unable to make a comeback however as time expired at 59-49.
Joining Hawkins in double figures was Dukes, who returned to action after missing four games with a concussion, with 12 points. Hawkins and sophomore Deanna Harmon (Owings Mills, Md.) collected seven rebounds for Del State. Hawkins also tallied two blocks on the night.
HU had three players score in double figures Tamoria Holmes (16), Saadia Doyle (16) and Zykia Brown (10). Doyle contributed a game-high eight rebounds while Holmes dished out a game-high seven assists.
The loss marks DSU's sixth straight as they move to 2-6 on the season and 0-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Lady Bison improve to 3-5 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC.
The Lady Hornets continue their three-game road trip as they travel to No. 5 Maryland on Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Comcast Center in College Park, Md.
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