Thompson, Andrews Lead Howard To Win Over Delaware In OT
Washington, DC—December 22--Calvin Thompson and Glenn Andrews combined for 13 points in overtime to help Howard University defeat the University of Delaware, 88-83 in a non-conference men's game at Burr Gymnasium. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bison while the Blue Hens had their two-game win streak end.
Andrews, who poured in a career-high 28 points, nailed a three pointer with 13 seconds to tie the game at 70 in regulation to send the game into an extra frame.
After Josh Brinkley converted one of two free throws to give the Blue Hens a 71-70 advantage, Thompson and Andrews took over, reeling off a 9-2 run to take a 79-73 lead at the 2:35 mark. Delaware (5-5) countered with a run of its own and tied the game at 79 with 1:30 on the clock.
From there, the Bison closed out the game by hitting on 8 of 9 free throws to seal the victory. The Blue Hens efforts were rebuffed with some good team defense down the stretch.]
"I was extremely pleased with our efforts tonight," said Howard second year head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "There were times when we could have up, but we continued to fight. We were able to make some baskets and we got some stops."
It was a game of runs by both teams as each took the other's best shots. First Delaware got the advantage, 27-16 on the scoring of Jarvis Threatt and Devon Sandler, who teamed for 16 of their team's first half points.
Howard (4-9) responded with a 23-9 spurt to take a 39-36 lead at the half. Andrews and Dadrian Collins each scored 11 points in the first frame.
In the second half, the two teams locked into a battle, with neither refusing to back down. There were five ties and four lead changes. With the scored knotted at 67-all, both teams squandered opportunities to put the game away until the Blue Hens gained the advantage on a Kyle Anderson three pointer with 45 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Howard was able to get three chances on rebounds and hustle plays. It finally paid off when Andrews, a senior transfer from Tulsa playing in only his third game for the Bison, knocked down the three pointer from the right corner that sent the game into overtime.
"Glenn had a good game for us and hit some big shots," said Nickelberry. "He and Dadrian both got us going offensively. And then Calvin settled us down. It was not so much his scoring and it was his leadership. He has been hurt and did not play the last two games and it affected how we play. But tonight, you could see the impact he has on how we play."
Threatt led the Blue Hens with 17, Jamelle Hagins with 15 points and 15 rebounds and Saddler and Brinkley with 14 and 12, respectively.
Andrews led all scorers with 28. Thompson finished with 16, 12 coming in the second half and overtime and Dadrian Collins tallied all 11 of his points in the first half.
GAME NOTES: The Bison shot 46 percent (10 of 22) from beyond the arc as Andrews (6 of 12) and Collins (3 for 4) combined for 9 of 16…Howard had one of its better games from the free throw line, converting on 24 of 30, including 18 of 21 in the second half and OT…after averaging 19 turnovers the past fout games, the Bison were able to take better care of the basketball, committing only 11 for the game…In addition to his 16 points, Thompson grabbed 7 rebounds, handed out 3 assists and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe…the center duo of Alphonso Leary and Oliver Ellison teamed for 9 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
The Bison travel to Lawrence, KS to take on the 11th ranked Jayhawks on December 29 at 8 pm Eastern time.
