Junior forward Eugene Alvin’s clutch layup late in the game resulted in a 78–77 upset for the Bears against highway rivals Howard University.
The game was a back-and-forth showdown between the Bears and Bisons with nine lead changes and eight ties.
With less than five minutes remaining Howard went on a 12–3 run to extend the lead to 67–57, their largest of the game. Junior guard Cedric Taylor III scored 10 of those 12 points and finished with a game-high 29.
However, the Bears answered with a 17–5 run to claw their way back, capped by a mid-range jumper from senior guard Rob Lawson that tied the game at 72–72 with two minutes remaining.
Lawson scored a career high 24 points and was 3 for 5 beyond the arc while senior Alfred Worrell Jr. marked his seventh 20-point game of the season with 23 points and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
The Bears improved to 7–13 overall and 3–2 in MEAC play after the win, tying Norfolk State for third place in the conference. The victory marked their third straight and improved the team to 2–13 when trailing at halftime.
Up next the Bears will face the Spartans in a tiebreaker matchup on January 26 at 7 p.m. in Norfolk, VA.
Associate Editor Temple Christian contributed to this story.
