AU Takes Howard at Burr

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Bison can't match up with Eagle stars.

November 24, 2010 - With many students departed or leaving campus to enjoy Thanksgiving, Howard University's Burr Gymnasium still rung out with fan noise, as the Bison faced crosstown institution American University. Unfortunately for the HU nation, American prevailed 66-54, enjoying leads of as much as 16 (first half) and 15 (second) points.

The underhanded Bison, absent key performers Calvin Thompson, Kyle Riley - both guards - made a strong comeback attempt, yet were answered at every turn by the Eagles, whose coach, Jeff Jones, enjoyed 24 points and 12 rebounds from junior swingman Troy Brewer and senior forward Vlad Moldoveanu's 18 points and six caroms.

Mike Phillips is defended by Moldoveanu; the former hails from Fredericksburg, VA's River Bend, the latter is Romanian but attend St. Johns (DC).

The Bison, being undermanned and lacking both experience and size, struggled to find an effective defense all night. Their coach, Kevin Nickleberry employed man, various 2-3 zones and a 1-3-1 zone formation, before settling on their sagging 2-3 alignment, which demands defenders rush perimeter shooters. Unfortunately, Brewer wasn't deterred.

"The plan was to limit number 14's (Moldoveanu) touches, and double down in the post on number 32 (Stephen Lumpkins, who notched 14 points and nine boards), but Brewer hit some big shots from the corner" opined Nickelberry, in his first year leading the Bison. "We couldn't stop all three and he hit some big shots early".

He went on to lament his team "missing shots", as "We just didn't make shots. We missed open shots, they hit shots, and that really set the tone". With slightly more than half of the first half expended, American had raced to a 20-6 lead.

Howard sank 34.0% of their overall attempts, and only 21.4% from beyond the arc, and when that data is juxtaposed with the Eagle's comparable 36.7% and 32.3% stats, proves Nickelberry's assertion, particularly when American's three point shooting mark was propped by Brewer dropping an impressive seven of thirteen long balls.

A pair of sophomores paced Howard, with forwards Mike Phillips and Dadrian Collins both notching 11 points, plus five and seven rebounds, respectively. Freshman guard David Naves produced nine points.

Nickelberry in sum: "Both my point guards and starting two (shooting guard) are walk-ons. I give them (his guys) credit, they fought in the second half, but that's a good team, they have a good team. There's a reason they are five-and-0".

Next up for AU, to it's best start in close to 20 years, is a home game versus Columbia on Sunday. Howard (1-4) welcomes Oregon State, Saturday.