WASHINGTON -- Kyle Williams came off the bench to score 37 points as Howard defeated cross-town rival American, 80-71, here in Burr Gymnasium on Monday evening in front of 1,057.
American (3-5) took an early 4-0 lead, but it would not last long, as Howard (4-4) rolled off the next 15 points to take a 15-4 lead with 11:27 to play in the first half.
Reeling, but not out of the contest, American bounced back and used a 10-3 run of its own to get within four (18-14) with 6:35 to play. That is when Williams started to heat up, and he closed the first half with the final 15 points of the half for the Bison, while leading them into the lockerroom up, 32-28.
The Eagles did not come out strong to start the second half, and quickly fell behind by double digits yet again. This time, Howard scored 16 of the first 20 points of the second half to take a commanding 15-point advantage. Williams was again the main figure in the run, scoring nine points.
Williams finished the night 10-of-16 from the floor, including six-of-eight from three-point range, and 11-of-13 from the line. He added six rebounds and a steal to his stat line.
American bounced back yet again, this time using a lengthy 18-6 spurt that lasted over seven minutes. Vladimir Buscaglia, who finished the night with 13 points, had 10 of the Eagles' 18 points to help them get within three (55-52) with just 7:09 remaining.
Howard did not falter down the stretch, and an electric dunk by Williams helped the Bison regain control of the game. American would get no closer than six the rest of the way.
Nick Boyd came off the bench to score 15 points to lead American. He went four-of-seven from the field and a perfect four-of-four from three-point range. Steven Miles and Patrick Doctor each followed with 14 points, while Doctor added a game-high 10 rebounds.
American returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 20, when it travels to Nashville, Tenn., for a contest against Vanderbilt. The Eagles continue their pre-Christmas swing by taking on Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec. 22. The Eagles then return home on Dec. 29 to host Wagner in Bender Arena at 2:00 p.m.
