Dover, Del. (Feb. 11, 2023) --- Jelani Williams scored the winning basket on a shot in the lane with 2.4 seconds left to give Howard an 86-85 victory over Delaware State in a MEAC overtime thriller today. The Hornets led 85-84 after O'Koye Parker hit one-of-two free throws with 19 seconds left in the extra period. Williams was well covered by Delaware State in the lane but managed to get off the winning shot to give Howard the last of 22 lead changes in the game. The Hornets called a time out following the basket, but committed a turnover in the backcourt on the ensuing in-bounds play. The score was also tied 14 times in the back-and-forth contest. Howard won its seventh straight game to improve to 15-10 overall and 7-1 in the MEAC. The win also moved the Bison into sole possession of first place in the MEAC standings after a loss by Maryland-Eastern Shore (6-2 MEAC) to Norfolk State today. The loss by Delaware State overshadowed a furious second half comeback and a career performance by guard O'Koye Parker, who came off the bench to tally 24 points on eight-for-12 shooting from the field, including five-of-six on three-point shots. Martaz Robinson added 17 points, while Brandon Stone totaled 13 and Khyrie Staten 12  for Delaware State. Williams led four double-figure scorers for Howard with 19 points and topped all players with 12 rebounds.
The Hornets trailed 31-28 at halftime, and fell behind 53-38 after a three-point shot by Howard's Thomas Weaver with 13:28 left in the second half. Keyed by Parker,  the Hornets rallied over the next six minutes to claw back into the game. Stone capped off a 23-8 run with a three-point shot that took several bounces on the run to tie the score at 61-61 with 8:01 left in regulation. Delaware State nailed six three-pointers during the comeback, four by Parker. Jevin Muniz and Stone scored baskets on the next two Delaware State possessions to stretch the Hornets' lead to 65-61. The lead swung back and forth for the remainder of regulation. Howard pulled ahead 75-73 on a basket by Williams with 35 seconds to go in the second half, but Parker hit a running jumper with 15 seconds left to again tie the score. The Bison had the last possession of regulation, but the Hornets put up a tough defensive stand to force the extra session.
Delaware State was 29-for-67 from field (43.3%), including seven-of-19 on three-point shots (36.8%), and 20-for-27 from the free throw line (74.1%). Howard shot 50% for the game, connecting on 30 of 60 shots from the field, including eight-for-19 on three-point tries (42.1%) and 18 of 24 at the line.
The Bison also won the rebound battle 45-35. The Hornets committed just 10 turnovers to 18 for Howard.
Parker has raised his season scoring average to 7.3 points per game, and leads the Hornets with 28 three-pointers on 58 attempts (.483).  
Delaware State returns to action on Monday (Feb. 13( at Norfolk State. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Norfolk, Va.