BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Cedric Taylor scored 21 points and Howard used a dominant defensive performance to pull away from Coppin State for a 72-53 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at the Coppin State Physical Education Complex.

The Bison, who led by seven at halftime, held the Eagles to just 35.7% shooting from the field and a frigid 2-for-16 from three-point range. Howard also forced 12 turnovers while committing an equal number, but converted those opportunities into a more efficient offensive night to secure its second consecutive conference win.

Howard improved to 14-9 overall and 4-2 in the MEAC. Coppin State fell to 3-20 and 1-5.

The most critical phase of the game came early in the second half, when Howard extinguished any hope of a Coppin State rally. After taking a 31-24 lead into the break, the Bison opened the second period with a decisive 14-4 run over the first six minutes. The surge was fueled by stifling defense that limited the Eagles to just two field goals during that span, and key offensive contributions from multiple sources.

Taylor, a 6-foot-7 forward from Atlanta, was central to the run and the game overall, adding two blocks and two assists in 36 minutes. His inside-out presence kept the Coppin State defense off balance. The run featured a three-pointer from Alex Cotton, who finished with 12 points, and a driving layup from Bryce Harris, who added 14 points and three assists. When Cam Gillus found Taylor for a three-pointer with 16:11 remaining, Howard’s lead ballooned to 45-28, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Coppin State never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way. The Eagles struggled to find any consistent rhythm, finishing with an offensive rating of 83.4 points per 100 possessions. Demariontay Hall led Coppin State with 12 points, while Tyler Koenig added 10. The Eagles managed only four assists as a team, highlighting their difficulties in generating quality shots against Howard’s active defense.

Howard, conversely, operated with greater efficiency, posting an offensive rating of 110.8. The Bison shot 45.3% from the field and were opportunistic from the free-throw line, making 16 of 21 attempts. Gillus orchestrated the offense with a game-high eight assists to go with nine points. Ose Okojie provided a significant boost off the bench, matching Cotton with 12 points and contributing defensively with two blocks.

The first half was a defensive struggle, with Howard building its lead primarily at the foul line and from beyond the arc. The Bison made 10 of 13 free throws before halftime and connected on four three-pointers, while Coppin State missed all seven of its long-range attempts in the opening period.

Howard’s defense set the tone from the outset, holding Coppin State scoreless for the game’s first three-and-a-half minutes. The Eagles did not reach double figures until the 8:16 mark of the first half. Despite their own offensive inconsistencies, the Bison’s persistent defensive pressure ensured they maintained control throughout.

The announced attendance was 412. Howard will look to continue its momentum when it hosts South Carolina State on Saturday. Coppin State aims to regroup at home against Delaware State, also on Saturday.