ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Graduate forward Cameron Shockley-Okeke (Norwalk, Conn.) came off the bench to score a team-high 16 points and a season-high seven boards to lead four Bison in double figures but was not enough to get by South Carolina State (SC State) as the Howard University men’s basketball team fell, 79-69, inside the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Center.
It was the third straight for the injury-plagued Bison, who fell to 12-19 (7-6 MEAC). The Bulldogs, having one of their best seasons in recent history, improved to 17-12 (10-3 MEAC).
Howard, who has been playing with a limited squad due to injuries through most of the season, battled the deep Bulldogs early and trailed only six, 39-33, despite playing much of the first half without the services of league-leading scorer freshman guard Blake Harper (Washington), who came into the game averaging 19.7 points. He was shackled with foul trouble most of the game before fouling out in the second half. The D.C. native finished with 10 points.
Using the depth that has been the key to this season’s success, SC State began to wear down the short-handed Bison, who fell into deep foul trouble. Howard had two Bison foul out and four more had three or more.
Despite the adversity, the Bison were able to stay close through the first 12 minutes of the second half before a big run by the hosts helped open a 16-point lead at the 8:10 mark.
Howard tried to make up the deficit, but the Bulldogs kept them at bay from the foul line where they connected on 13-of-14 in the second half and 35-of-42 for the game. The Bulldogs used their bench liberally and played 12 players in their rotation.
Coming into the game, the Bison were the top three-point shooting team in the conference, but the Bulldogs limited the injury-plagued Bison to 5-of-27 from beyond the arc.
Graduate guard Anwar Gill (Washington) finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Graduate guard Jaren Johnson (Lynwood, Calif.) with 13 points and eight rebounds and graduate guard Joshua Strong (Minneapolis) with nine points and four assists.
Senior guard Marcus Dockery (Washington), the team’s second leading scorer, finished with only four points, 11 below his season average in a season-low 11 minutes.
The Bulldogs were led by Davion Everett (19 points & six rebounds), Drayton Jones (15 points) and Jayden Johnson (12 points).
NEXT UP: SC State closes out the regular season at Durham, N.C., where it will take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central Thursday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m.
Howard will host Norfolk State Thursday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
