Bison Crush Bears

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — February 7th, 2003

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Bison Crush Bears

Monday night, the Lady Bison handed the Morgan State Bears their worst loss of the season, beating them by 61 points, 98-37. The Bears have an overall record of 1-18 and are winless in the MEAC. 

 

"It's difficult and it's been a year of adversity," Morgan State Head Coach Angelyne Brown said. "It would be different if I had been in this situation before."

 

Brown came from a winning program and said that she had never been on a losing team. 

 

At Clark Atlanta she had a successful program where she lead the Panthers to a 16-9 record, where they eventually lost in the conference semifinals. 

 

This season, the Panthers have continued their success without Brown with a record of 13-1. 

 

Brown said it's difficult to find the positives in this, her first season.

 

The Bears stayed consistent the entire game and shot 24 percent in the first half and 27 percent in the second. 

 

Turnovers were a big problem for the Lady Bison.

 

"We had goals and had to play hard. Our competition was ourselves," Lady Bison Head Coach Cathy Parson said.

 

Although the Lady Bison knew the Bears had yet to win a game in the MEAC, they could not take them lightly.

 

"In a game like this, we have to work on the little things," Lady Bison forward Shauna Ruglass said. "We had to play as we would against the number 1 team."

 

Ruglass, who ended the night with 20 points, six rebounds and five steals, was one of three Bison to score in double figures. 

 

Asia Petty and Simone Agee aided her by scoring 11 and 18 points, respectively.

 

Parson was pleased with her team's performance. She has a number of players who can come through in any game.

 

She can alternate between Daisha Hicks and Danielle Shelton at the point guard position. Her choice between Courtney Kirk and Andrea Jones at the center position is difficult, "Andrea's play is better, but she is unable to dominate like Courtney," Parson said.

 

Agee does well on defense. She led the team in steals last year. Parson said that if she's open, she will hit the open shot and called her "the quiet assassin."

 

By the end of the first half, the Lady Bison had a commanding 52-20 lead and shot 43 percent from the field and 91 percent from the free throw line.

 

After having an impressive 20 minutes, Parson said, "One half doesn't make a game. We didn't motivate ourselves and take more responsibility to get ourselves going."

 

She said that they were inconsistent with their defensive pressure; however, they scored 40-points off 38 turnovers. 

 

Aside from scoring a season high 98 points, the Lady Bison were able to pull from their bench.

 

Parson gave some of her other players a chance to see the court for the first time this season.

 

The Bison bench contributed 33 points, with help from Jones, who had three blocks, and Shelton, who dished out seven assists. 

 

"We are where I thought we'd be at in November, so we're behind," Parson said. " But we're headed in the right direction."

 

Next for the Bison will be two road games against Norfolk State and Hampton University. 

 

"With Hampton, we already know who they are and who can shoot the ball. They have the names. Anyone of them can step up for Norfolk," Parson said.

 

Howard was able to beat the Spartans at home in their first meeting, but fell to the Pirates by four points. 

 

Parson's key to this weekend is to be stronger defensively.

"Great pressure breaks things up," Parson said. "We have to do the right things and not turn the ball over and make simple plays. We're going to take the Norfolk game into Hampton."