WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reggie Gardner, Jr. (Bowie, Md.) sent North Carolina Central University to overtime after hitting a late jumper, but Howard outlasted the Eagles in the extra frame on the way to an 84-78 final at Burr Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 20 to stop the Eagles' six-game win streak.
 
Howard (4-17, 1-4 MEAC) led for the entirety of the first half and led NCCU (10-9, 4-1 MEAC) by as many as 10.  The Eagles were able to make a late run in the half to draw close, and Dominique Reid (Sicklerville, N.J.) swatted away a layup attempt as time expired to send NCCU to the break, trailing 35-31.
 
NCCU was able to get in front in the second half thanks to strong play from Pablo Rivas (Colón, Panama) and Jordan Perkins (Greensboro, N.C.), but the tail end of the contest was a topsy-turvy affair with the lead changing hands several times.
 
With time winding down late, Zion Cousins (Upper Marlboro, Md.) went to the free throw line to shoot two free throws to put the hosts ahead 74-72, but Reggie Gardner, Jr. (Bowie, Md.) collected a rebound and made a clutch jumper to tie the game at 74-74 with 4.2 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
 
In the extra session, Howard was propelled by Charles Williams (Richmond, Va.) who scored eight of his 25 points to help the Bison outscore the Eagles 10-4 on the way to an 84-78 final.
 
Raasean Davis (Chicago, Ill.) had a team-high 19 points with nine rebounds, followed by Gardner, Jr. who had 17 points and four boards.  Perkins also reached double-digits with 11 points and four assists, as well as Larry McKnight, Jr. (North Miami, Fla.) who had 10 points and five rebounds.  Rivas also had a strong game with nine points and seven caroms.
 
R.J. Cole (Union, N.J.) had an impressive game-high 29 points with six assists, and Cousins also reached double figures with 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
NCCU will finish the two-game road trip on Monday, Jan. 22 at Maryland Eastern Shore with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.