Howard University men’s basketball team secured its first win of the season with an 81-76 victory over rival Hampton in the 47th chapter of the Battle of the Real HU, thanks to a second-half comeback.
After trailing double digits at the half, 29-39, HU outscored the Pirates, 52-37, while shooting a scorching 60-percent (15-of-25) from the floor.
“I think we’re a really good offensive team,” said Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney after the win. “I told the team it’s going to click for us and when it does, we’re going to build on that momentum and take control of the game.”
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Four Bison reached double figures, led by second-year guard Khalil Robinson (Columbia, S.C.), who flirted with a triple-double, finishing with a career-high 19 points, nine dimes and seven boards.
A layup from Davion Warren capped off an 8-0 run by Hampton and gave the Pirates their largest lead of the contest, 21-38, with less than three minutes before intermission.
Down, but not out, Howard finished the half on an 8-1 spurt and sliced the margin down to 10 at the break, 29-39.
“It was really important to go into the half on some momentum,” Blakeney continued. “We were able to push the tempo and put pressure on their defense.”
After intermission, HU’s momentum rolled into the second half where they cut the double-digit deficit within a matter of minutes.
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With under 12 minutes remaining, Robinson converted a three-point play to give the Bison their first lead since 2-0. Moments later, redshirt freshman Cam Timmons (Warrenton, Va.) connected on a jumper to cap off a 19-6 run, 48-45.
Back squads went back-and-forth, delivering big shot after big shot in the waning moments.
With less than two minutes left, Robinson knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to give Howard a 73-72 edge. Down the stretch, HU shot 83-percent (10-of-12) from the charity stripe in the final two minutes to secure their first win of the season.
Redshirt freshman Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) and graduate Sam Green (Bowie, Md.) each produced a double-double. Settle notched 18 points and 12 rebounds (game-high) while Green added 13 points and 10 boards.
Junior Deven Richmond (Bowie, Md.) made his first start as a Bison in place of senior guard Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.), who was a late scratch. The DMV product finished with 18 points and five rebounds in the win.
“This was a total team win,” Blakeney ended. “I’m so proud of the team and I’m happy for the Howard University community because this game means so much to a lot of people.”
For Hampton (1-4), Warren and Chris Shelton each finished with 21 points in the loss.
Tuesday (Dec. 22), the Bison face Mount St. Mary’s in a non-conference showdown. Game-time is set for 1 p.m. in Emmitsburg, Md.