Howard committed a season-high 31 turnovers Sunday in a 71-58 loss at Morgan State inside the Hill Field House.
With the setback, HU fell to 5-2 (1-1 MEAC) on the season.
Contrast to Saturday, when Howard defeated Morgan 73-48, MSU controlled the tempo with full-court pressure, forcing HU into mistakes that led to 35 points off turnovers.
“They turned up their pressure a little more today,” said Howard head coach Ty Grace. “They got in our faces and disrupted us offensively. They did a good job speeding the game up and being way more active than yesterday.”
Offensively, the Bison were unable to get into rhythm, shooting just under 39-percent (17-of-44), including 8-percent (1-of-12) from long range.
Second-year point guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) led the way despite the team’s shooting woes, tying a career-best 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting before fouling out.
“She shot great today,” said Grace on her sophomore floor general. “But others were not scoring today. So, when you’re trying to create for others, you’re bound to make turnovers. She tried to put us on her back, but we need balance scoring.”
Sophomore forward Makayla Minett (Chicago) put HU ahead by three after a put back layup, 11-8, but the Lady Bears would respond with a 9-0 run to close out the first frame, 11-17.
In the second period, Howard shot 60-percent (3-of-5), but only 50-percent (4-of-8) at the charity stripe while MSU tripled their shot attempts to outscore HU in the quarter, 10-14, and take a 10-point advantage into the break, 21-31.
Morgan State’s momentum continued after intermission, shooting 67-percent (6-of-9) from the field and 86-percent (12-of-14) at the foul line in the third to take a commanding lead into the fourth, 39-56.
HU outscored the Lady Bears in the fourth, 19-14, but the comeback would fall short.
Newcomer Anzhane’ Hutton (Cedar Hill, Texas) produced 17 points and eight boards while second-year forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis (Chicago) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
“One person is not going to carry the team,” Grace continued. “Even when Jayla scores 20, we have others contributing and being involved.”
Senior guard Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.), who leads the MEAC in scoring, finished the afternoon with zero points on 0-of-5 shooting in 23 minutes of action.
MSU (4-2, 1-1 MEAC) had four Lady Bears score double figures, led by Ja’Niah Henson with a game-high 19 points in the win.
“It’s about preparation,” Grace on playing back-to-back days. “When you have these small windows in between games, you don’t have a lot of time in making adjustments. It comes down to preparation, mental focus and rest.”
On Jan. 16-17, Howard meets Coppin State in a two-game series at The Burr. Both games are scheduled for 2 p.m.
