Howard University (HU) junior guard Calvin Thompson scored a game-high 21 points, 15 points of which were scored in the second half, to help the Bison beat the College of William and Mary, 67-58, in a men’s college basketball game on Nov. 26 at the HU Burr Gymnasium. Howard now has a 2-3 overall record on the season. According to Howard media relations, the non-conference victory also marked the 100th win in the career of Howard second-year coach Kevin Nickelberry who has also coached at Hampton University and the Libya National Basketball Team.
Howard freshman guard Prince Okoroh and junior forward Mike Phillips contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively in what was a closely contested matchup throughout most of the game. The Bison led 30-24, and kept the six-point cushion for most of the contest, thanks to efficient offence and stellar defense. Howard’s defense forced William and Mary to shoot just 33 percent from the field.
“We wanted to keep them away from the three-point line,” Thompson explained after the game. “We were focused on making sure that we knew where their shooters were. I thought that we did a good job in that area.”
Besides good defense, Thompson and company also shot well from the field. The 6-foot-3 junior made 9-of-10 shots from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, freshman guard Simuel Frazier was said by team officials to be Howard’s difference-maker as he finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
“We came out of the half and tried to close out the game,” said Nickelberry. “The team is coming together. The freshmen are stepping up and the upperclassmen are being leaders. We just have to work harder on finishing and closing out games.”
NEXT UP: Howard will stay in D.C. to take on the Eagles of American University at Bender Arena on Tuesday Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
