Howard women take league’s top scoring attack on the road against North Carolina A&T

By The Sports Pulse Staff

WASHINGTON – Howard University women’s basketball move on as road warriors once again against North Carolina A&T State (NCAT) and North Carolina Central (NCCU) await.

Tipoff will happen tomorrow (Feb. 22) against the Aggies beginning at 2 p.m., then followed by a 5:30 p.m. start at the Eagles on Feb 24.

MATCHUP PREVIEWS

HOWARD

Howard (14-10, 6-5 MEAC) returns to the hardwood after nearly two weeks away since their last game at Bethune-Cookman (Feb. 10). Currently, the league’s top scoring attack (68.7 ppg) sits sixth overall with only five conference games remaining.

Offensively, senior Ayonna Williams (Washington) and junior Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) lead the Bison attack while redshirt junior Jayla Myles (Rochester, N.Y.), league’s No. 1 shot blocker (1.6 bpg), anchors the defensive end.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE

NCAT (16-8, 8-4 MEAC) enters the weekend looking to get back on track after suffering a double OT home loss at the hands of rival NCCU, 80-86. Despite the setback, North Carolina A&T State has protected home court, producing an 8-2 mark inside the Corbett Sports Center.

This season, the Aggies rank No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing only 56.9 ppg.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

Before facing HU, NCCU (8-16, 5-6 MEAC) hosts Maryland Eastern Shore for Senior Day in a crucial showdown. North Carolina Central sits seventh in the conference standings, only a game behind the Bison.

Paulina Afriyie and Kieche White provide the one-two punch for the Eagles, ranking fifth (13.9 ppg) and sixth (13.7 ppg), respectively, in the league.

LAST TIMEOUT

In a decisive win over Florida A&M (Feb. 8), Howard left the Al Lawson Center with yet another road win after an 82-56 victory. Sophomore Gia Thorpe (Pittsburgh) and freshman Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) combined for 38 points.

Unfortunately, this momentum did not carry over to Moore Gymnasium where the Bison fell to Bethune-Cookman, 59-88, Monday (Feb. 10). Thornton led the team with 13 points.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Saturday (Feb. 29), HU concludes its long five-game road trip in Norfolk, Va., against Norfolk State. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. inside Echols Hall.

Two days later (March 2), Howard returns to The Mecca where the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks await. The action starts 5:30 p.m. inside Burr Gymnasium.