Howard University women’s basketball team took down Mount St. Mary’s in their season opener Monday, 87-83, inside Burr Gymnasium.
The high scoring affair saw five Bison reach double figures, led by senior guard Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) with a game-high 26 points on 50-percent (5-of-10) shooting from downtown.
Both squads went back and forth after halftime, but the Bison would take a 59-57 lead into the fourth, thanks to a layup from second-year point guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.).
With less than four minutes remaining, newcomer Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.) made a layup and put HU ahead, 75-67, but The Mount would make a comeback and pull even after a fastbreak score from Jatarrika Settle, 81-81.
With 20 ticks remaining, a technical foul was handed out on Settle after fouling Warren. The Maryland native was unable to take the free throws; thus, The Mount chose freshman guard Cashay Dixon (Chicago) in her place where she split her free throws, followed by two made freebies from Thornton due to the team reaching the bonus, which nearly put the contest out-of-reach.
Freshman Anzhane’ Hutton (Cedar Hill, Texas) finished with 18 points, six boards and three blocks in her collegiate debut. Sophomore forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis (Chicago) recorded 13 points and eight rebounds in the victory.
Hutton got HU off to a hot start, scoring 12 of her 18 points in the opening quarter, while giving the Bison a 27-19 advantage after one.
The Mount responded and outscored Howard in the second period, 19-11, and tied the contest at intermission, 38-38.
Overall, the Bison shot nearly 52-percent (31-of-60) while eclipsing over 71-percent (20-of-28) at the charity stripe.
Warren and Creek added 10 points apiece in the win.
Six Mountaineers reached double-figures in the loss, led by Kendall Bresee with 16 points.
HU (1-0) returns to action next Tuesday (Dec. 8) when they travel crosstown to face Georgetown. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.