Washington, DC---Charles "CJ" Williams scored a game-high 25 points to lead four players in double figures as Howard University cruised to an 84-53 win over North Carolina A&T in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Burr Gymnasium.
It was the second straight for the Bison (7-20, 4-8 in the MEAC), who swept the Aggies (2-25, 0-13 in the MEAC) in the season series.
Howard jumped out to the early lead and never looked back. Williams, a 6-5 freshman guard from Richmond, Va, led the way with 20 of his points on 5 of 8 shooting from the field, including 3 of 4 from beyond the three-point circle.
"Just a talented freshman, a very, very talented freshman," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "He's able to score in bunches. You never know when he's going to be able to score 2 or 3 in a row, 4 or 5 in a row."
Collins, who had his season-best 21 points, contributed 9 as the Bison led 44-26 at the break. The senior, who has struggled at times after moving to the point guard, has begun to play better.
"It comes with practice; we've had 5 or 6 games now and we've had a lot of practice time for Damon to get adjusted to being the point," explained Nickelberry. "Obviously it was an adjustment for him. You can see him getting more comfortable. And as he's getting more comfortable, the team's getting more comfortable. He's finding ways to get his shot. He's getting comfortable right now. He's allowing us to start fast; he's finding people and not only is he finding people, he's leading us on defense. Right now, without question, he's playing the best basketball since he's been here. These guys are learning their roles, their new roles, but they're learning their new positions and it's starting to show on the court."
In the second half, the Bison were able to keep the pressure on with Collins, Solomon "Solo" Mangham and reserve Tyler Stone taking turns in the scoring column.
It was one of the Bison's most efficient outings as they committed only seven turnovers (they average 15) and distributing the ball (13 assists on 24 baskets).
North Carolina A&T struggled to get any consistency. They allowed 28 points off turnovers
Williams was high with 25, Collins with 21 and 5 assists, Stone with 13 and Mangham with 10.
NC A&T was led by reserve Davaris McGowens (19 points) and Aaron Scales (14)
The game ended on a nice note as Prince Okoroh, who has not played in two years, saw his first action since that time and got in the scoring column, making both his free throws for two points. Okoroh suffered personal tragedy in his family and has been out of the lineup.
"It was a very emotional time for me. I was crying in the locker room a little bit," said Nickelberry. "That's my guy, my first recruit here. Until the game leaves you, until you don't have it anymore, you don't know how much you miss it. And for him to have to sit for two years and watch, and for me to get an opportunity to get him in the game… and for him to score at home, was unbelievable. It was unbelievable. For me, the team was happy for me. No one around can't not be happy for that young man, and all he's been through. For him to go back on that court and put that 3 on and go out and score was truly emotional."
NEXT UP: Howard will try to win three in a row when it hosts league-leading Eagles of North Carolina Central on Monday at 4 pm.
