Terriers’ Mockford hits seven from long range Bad things came in 3s Monday night for Howard.
The Bison, trying to remain unbeaten at home against St. Francis (N.Y.), were undone by a deluge of long-range shots from guard Ben Mockford, who prefers to fling his 3-pointers with a degree of difficulty.
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With a pair of left-handed bombs from just north of U Street, Mockford gave St. Francis the lead early in the second half. Then with the Terriers of the Northeast Conference withering in the final minute, he ran around a screen for the catch-and-shoot 3-point winner with 35 seconds left, delivering St. Francis a 73-71 victory at Burr Gymnasium.
Howard’s Prince Okoroh (11 points) had a chance for a buzzer-beater as he received a long inbound pass and fired from 25 feet. His bank shot caromed off the rim as the Bison (3-7) suffered their first loss at home.
Howard had plenty of other chances late. But a 3-point try by guard Anton Dickerson (nine points) with 18 seconds left hit the top of the backboard. Four seconds later, Howard committed a turnover on an inbounds play.
Mockford (24 points), a transfer from Iona by way of Shoreham-by-Sea, England, hit seven 3-pointers on 10 attempts. Stefan Perunicic (13 points), a swingman from Belgrade, Serbia, added three in four tries, though most of his attempts came from the general vicinity of the arc.
“We knew the only way they could beat us was with the 3, and we let them do it anyway,” Howard coach Kevin Nickelberry said.
St. Francis (3-6) used an 11-0 run, which included a conventional 3-point play by Jalen Cannon (13 points, 10 rebounds), to take a 55-47 lead. After that, the Terriers never trailed.
But Howard made them sweat as Mike Phillips (16 points, 12 rebounds) scored all but three of his points in the second half. In the first half, Howard was led by guards Simuel Frazier (15 points) and Calvin Thompson (12 points).
“We made shots. That’s how we have to win,” St. Francis coach Glenn Braica said. “It’s a good win. [Howard is] a very good team, much improved from last year. I think they’re gonna be good.”
