BOX SCORE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Howard used a 9-1 run to break a 34-34 second half deadlock and upended Radford, 54-46, Thursday evening from Burr Gymnasium.

The game-deciding run was the second of the half for the Bison, who erased an early six-point Highlander lead with a 12-2 burst to start the second stanza.

Radford attempted to rally as it pulled within four behind two quick buckets with just over a minute to go, but Howard, who shot a blistering 54 percent in the second half, hit four free throws down the stretch and the Highlanders were unable to get any closer.

"I was very proud of how hard we as a team fought through everything tonight," said head coach Tajama Abraham Ngongba. "We stayed composed throughout the game and played as hard as I've ever seen us play in red."

Sophomore Da'Naria Erwin Spence led Radford with 10 points and four assists.

Cheyenne Curley-Payne was one of three Bison in double figures with a game-high 14 points, while Portia Deterville pulled down a game-best 10 caroms. The Bison out rebounded the Highlanders, 36-28.

A10-2 run over the final 6:04 of the first half gave Radford a 25-20 lead going into halftime. The run was fueled by six of Erwin Spencer's eight first half points, including a layup with one tick on the clock. The defense also played a big role as it held Howard scoreless for six of the final seven minutes.

Neither team found a rhythm from the field as Radford shot 35 (7-20) and Howard 32 (8-25) percent, respectively. However, Radford hit 11 of 17 free throw attempts to counter the cold performance from the floor.

Howard came out strong in the second half using a 12-2 run to erase Radford's 28-22 advantage and take a 34-30 lead at the
14:19 mark.

An 8:44 field goal drought by Radford, which shot 28 percent in the second half, allowed Howard to take the largest lead of the game (43-35) after Curley-Payne drained a three with 5:06 left in the contest that capped off a 9-1 run for the Bison.

After a pair of free throws pushed Howard's lead back to eight (50-42) at 1:58, the Highlanders got a pair of quick buckets on a putback by senior Ciara Hayes, followed by another put back in the paint by Erwin Spencer after McElroy recorded a steal just after Hayes' bucket.

Victoria Hamilton and senior Denay Wood chipped in with nine and eight points respectively. Wood also grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

Radford remains on the road to take on Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.