Dover, Del. (Mar. 1, 2014) --- Delaware State cut a 12-point second half deficit to one in the final minute, but could not get over the hump in a 55-53 MEAC men's basketball loss to Howard in the 2013-14 home finale for the Hornets in Memorial Hall today.

DSU had the final shot, but Casey Walker's three-point attempt hit off the rim as time expired.

The Hornets trailed 24-20 at the half, and fell behind 41-29 on a three-point shot by Howard's James Daniels with 13:41 left to play.

The Bison led 43-31 before the Hornets began their comeback.

Tyshawn Bell capped off a 14-5 DSU run with a three-pointer to cut Howard's lead to 48-46 with 5:14 remaining in the game.

The Hornets pulled to within 54-53 after Walker hit two free throws with 51 seconds left.

Each team committed a turnover on its next possession.

Howard's James Miller was fouled after the Delaware State turnover with 10 seconds remaining. Miller hit the first free throw, but missed the second to set up the Hornets' final possession.

Delaware State led 12-9 early in the game on a jumper by Nick Doyle, who chipped in five points as a reserve.

Walker, playing in his final home game, led the Hornets with 12 points. He now has 1,419 career points, eighth on the Hornets' all-time.  He needs nine points to pass Andre Matthews (1999-03) for seventh place.

Tyshawn Bell came off the bench to add nine points for Delaware State.

Kendall Gray had seven points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Hornets. He has reached double figures in rebounds in each of the last five games, although his string of four straight double-doubles was snapped in the contest.

Gray also had three blocks to give him a school-record 78 this season. He held the previous record of 75 as a sophomore during the 2012-13 campaign.

Little used Chris Lewis (so.), playing in just his fifth game of the season, chipped in six points on two three-pointers for DSU.

Daniel, the MEAC's scoring leader this season, was high man for the Bison with a game-high 22 points. His performance was highlighted by four three-point field goals.

Miller added 12 points for Howard.   

Delaware State was 16-for-50 from the field (32.0%), including seven-of-29 from three-point territory (24.1%). The 29 three-point attempts marked a season-high for the Hornets. DSU was 14-for-14 at the free throw line.

Howard was 18-for- 44 from the field overall (40.9%) and six-of15 from beyond the arc (40.0%). The Bison were 13 of 18 at the foul line.

Delaware State won the rebound battle 34-31.

The win was Howard's first at Delaware State since the 1993-94 season, a string of 14 games.

The loss snapped a two-game win streak for DSU, which fell to 9-19 overall and 5-10 in the MEAC. Howard improved to 7-22 and 5-9.

Delaware State closes out the regular season at UMES on Thursday (Mar. 6). Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Princess Anne, Md.