Surging Howard Bison cool off in loss to Lasalle

 

By Ray Rogers

Lasalle halts Howard’s win streak on the heels of conference play

The Howard Bison Men’s basketball team entered Thursday’s contest riding a three game win streak along with a wave of momentum as efforts to achieve a second consecutive winning season continue.

Prior to tipoff, it was announced that freshman sensation Shy Odom was named MEAC rookie of the week for the second week in a row and the third overall time this season.

From the outset of Thursday’s contest, Howard looked to establish ball movement and work from the inside out with Odom being featured on both the inside as well as the perimeter. The Bison quickly erased an early 5 point deficit as Odom’s demand for attention created driving lanes for his teammates.

 

Defensively, the Bison locked in following the slow start by forcing 3 turnovers in the first 4 minutes of play. The Bison were anchored defensively by solid bench play headlined by sophomore Bryce Harris. Head coach Kenneth Blakeney was forced to tap into his bench early as result of the physicality and size of Lasalle highlighted by 6’10 Forward Mamadou Doucoure. 

The strong collective effort on defense was the catalyst for keeping the Bison competitive as they shot a disappointing 30.8% for the first half including 1/9 from three point range. 

The Bison ended the first half tied 29 - 29 after forcing 14 turnovers. 

Fatigue and Foul Trouble 

The second half start for Howard mirrored the opening game strategy as the offense featured Shy Odom who displayed his versatility by scoring four quick baskets giving him a team leading 13 points overall. However, Odom landed in foul trouble and exited the game with just under 14 minutes to play in the half. 

At the time of Odom’s exit the Bison trailed by 4 points. It was at this juncture that LaSalle sophomore Khalil Brantley caught fire connecting on 3 consecutive three point baskets which was key in creating a 7 point deficit for the Bison with 10:51 remaining in the game.

As LaSalle maintained the advantage Coach Kenneth Blakeney chose to gamble by bringing back Odom with 4 personal fouls at the 8:42 mark and Howard still trailing by 7. 

The move paid off as Shy Odom scored a quick and 1 basket in which he converted the free throw which trimmed the Lasalle lead to 60 - 56 with 8:25 remaining.

As Howard battled in the second half including a nine point deficit with 5 minutes remaining, Odom took over scoring 6 points in a two minute span that saw Howard reduce Lasalle’s lead to one point with 2:45 remaining.  

The game remained a one point contest with 36.6 seconds left when Shy Odom picked up his 5th foul, exiting the contest with 22 points. 

Two Khalil Brantley free throws put Lasalle ahead by 3 and the Bison back on offense without the super freshman. 

The two teams traded free throws down the stretch as LaSalle kept the lead for good, defeating Howard 80 - 76. 

In addition to missing Shy Odom for key stretches, the Bison appeared fatigued on defense which was most evident by Lasalle seeing numerous open looks from three and reducing second half turnovers to just five after 14 in the previous half.

Coach Blakeney has acknowledged fatigue as an issue for his group prior to today’s game which may have also contributed to the Bison shooting a rough 27/51 from the field including 2/12 from the three point range for the game.

The 7 - 9 Bison open MEAC conference play with a home matchup against Delaware State on January 7th while looking to begin a new streak.