Men’s Basketball Team Improves Conference Record With Weekend Win Over FAMU

The Howard Men's Basketball hosted Florida A&M on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Burr Gymnasium.  HU improved their conference record to (4-8) and (7-18) overall after defeating FAMU 71-69.

Howard was paced by red-shirt Junior Captain, Calvin Thompson and sophomore guard from Hampton,Va., Tre Lee. Both players finished the contest with a total of 27 points, shooting -eight-for-15 from the field. Thompson led the team with 15 points and grabbed three rebounds while Lee contributed 12 points, four rebounds and dished out two assists.

Head coach Kevin Nickelberry compliments his team for their efforts in Saturday's game.

"We have been starting 5 freshmen and last night they played huge by giving us a lead of eight towards the end of the second half. When Calvin and Tre came in, they showed leadership by finishing the game out and putting us in the position to win the game."

Lee and Thompson were pleased with their performances in Saturday's game. Lee said, "It was a matter of going out and doing everything to help my team win."

Thompson stated that as captain of the team, his role is to make plays and be a leader vocally. He said he feeds off of his teammate's intensity and their love for the game. Thompson also said he simply has to lead his team to victory.

The game was tough as both teams battled to take the advantage.

 "It was a tough one but we pulled it out," Thompson said.

Lee said, "The win solidified us putting everything together. We are playing more as a team and our chemistry is the main thing that has improved."

In order for the team to have been successful in this match, Thompson said the game plan was to front the post players, close out strong on the three-point shooters and try to prevent FAMU's best player, Amin Stevens, from scoring the bulk of the points. However, Stevens captured a game-high of 24 points (shooting 50 percent from the field) and tallied a team-best eight rebounds in 24 minutes of action.

Thompson also mentioned how Nickelberry switched up the starting line-up by replacing upperclassmen with freshmen and explained how they have benefitted from it. "The freshmen are bringing the intensity and a lot of energy for the team," said Thompson. "We are having more productive practices, everybody's confidence is going up and everyone knows their role."

FAMU's ended the game shooting 12.5 percent, (3-24) from the three point line and making 25 shots out of 70 shot attempts (35.7 percent) from the field. HU shot 42.9 percent (4-7) from behind the arc and connected on 24 out of 51 shot attempts (47.1 percent)

Howard outscored FAMU in the paint 40-36, outscored their bench 36-21 and had a solid night from the free throw line by shooting 80 percent (20-25). FAMU finished the game with 14 turnovers to HU's 19 and both teams were tied in rebounding, 36-36.

For next game, Lee and Thompson are looking forward to continuing the teams' winning streak. Lee said, "It will be real significant to get this win on Monday. If we come out focus, play good defense and play tough, then we will be where we need to be in the MEAC."

Thompson said, "With the win it will bring us up four spots in the MEAC rankings. We can't become complacent but we will continue to ride this wave. We pretty much are expecting the same outcome-- bringing intensity, and lots of energy like Saturday's game."

Nickelberry emphasized on how his team is the youngest team in the MEAC, but is one of the bigger teams as far as size. He continued to say Bethune Cookman might have a better record and have a lot of upperclassmen with experience, but if Howard comes out and play hard with one mind and one purpose, they will come out successful.

HU will return to the hardwood matching up against Bethune-Cookman on Monday, Feb. 13 in Burr Gymnasium. Jump ball is slated for 7:30 p.m.