Howard executes down stretch for win

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Toughnss and exection secure win for Bison.

December 23, 2010 - Last night at its Burr Gymnasium, Howard University stunned its D.C./B'More rival Loyola 69-65, a welcome win for the 2-9 Bison, steemming an eight game losing streak. The game's outcome was largely decided within the last minute.

The contest's decisive and most controversial forty-five seconds had twists and turns: Leading 65-64 after forward Mike Phillips' and-one layup and foul shot conversion with 47.5 seconds in regulation - he led all scorers with 19 points and added seven rebounds - Howard was able to corral a loose ball before guard HU guard Anton Dickerson (15 points) was fouled.

Mike Phillips with his key and-one, late game play.

After he sank both charity stripe attempts, Howard was up 67-64, the clock reading 14.7. The controversy then started, as Loyola's head coach Jimmy Patsos determined he wanted a quick shot then foul, hoping to get another shot attempt; in effect desiring a professional-style two for one scenario. His team tried, with guard Brian Rudolph (four points, six assists) driving and getting fouled with 10.2 seconds to go. He hit only one of his free throws, Phillips sank a pair on the other end, slightly over a second later, and the game was sealed.

"I said (told his team) two for one, I thought maybe they would help, Kevin (Nickleberry, Howard's bench leader) is a good coach, and I thought they would help (defensively)" is what Patsos said of his strategy, also lamenting his team's missed free throws. Helping to thwart his plan was Howard's switch to a man defense, with no helping off defenders.

Nickleberry was shocked that Loyola would go two for one, and also lauded the play of guard Kyle Riley, who returned to his lineup against LU, contributing 11 points and three steals. "It was unbelievable" he said of Riley's presence and impact, "He's not a point guard but you put him in there as a point guard, and he's tough. He just gives us toughness".

Click these links for exclusive pressers from Nickleberry and Patsos. To hear Riley's comments after the game, click here.

Howard, which also received 13 points from forward Dadrian Collins, was down 39-31 at intermission, and by the second stanza's 14:38 mark fell behind by 14, before knotting the game at 54 with 6:47 after two free throws by center Alphonso Leary (nine points, four rebounds). The Bison again tied the ball game after a Collins three pointer, the clock reading 1:39. The next time both squads shared the same score was after Phillips converted his key layup, and before its foul shot was sank.

Swingman Justin Drummond led the Greyhounds with 17 points, while forward Erik Etherly chipped in 12 points and corralled a game high 10 points. Guard Jamal Barney supplied 10 points for Loyola, now 4-7.

The Bison shot 41.2% from the field, 18.2% from three point land. Loyola tickled the twine at 48.6% overall, 30.4% on deep balls.

Recruiting Extra:

Prince Okoroh, a standout Class of 2011 student-athlete from Eleanor Roosevelt H.S. (MD) has been offered by Howard, and is receiving recruiting love from Loyola. To hear him interviewed at halftime - Prince discusses schools, recruiting and his opinion of both Howard and Loyola, click here.