Bison

Ask anyone who's tried to cut down pesky bamboo shoots or rid his garden of purple loosestrife: Invasive plants can be a major hassle. Scientists have long believed that invasives thrive as well as they do because they have escaped the natural predators in their native homes. But a study released today says that's only part of the reason. Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology say that invasive plants have succeeded because they are sharing their new homes with the enemies that evolved along with them.

Coppin State scored 35 points over the final nine minutes, leading it to its highest point total this season and a victory over host Howard, 83-67, yesterday. It was only the second time in the past 10 seasons that the Lady Eagles (17-8, 16-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) had defeated the Lady Bison on their home court. The Eagles' last victory over the Lady Bison (12-12, 9-6 MEAC) in Washington, D.C., was Feb. 26, 2001, when Coppin won, 78-74. Sherrie Tucker led the Lady Eagles with 20 points.

Navy attack overwhelms Saint Joseph's The sixth-ranked Navy men's lacrosse team scored three times in a 48-second span to close out the first half and break open a close game, as the Midshipmen defeated host Saint Joseph's, 12-2, yesterday in men's lacrosse. Navy (1-0) held an edge across the board, outshooting the Hawks (0-2) by 35-17 and winning nine of 17 faceoffs. The Mids were 1-3 on the extra-man; Saint Joseph's was 1-4. Navy's Matt Russell and Colin Finnegan combined for 11 saves.

Amanda Robinson scored 16 points and the host UMBC women's basketball team won its third straight, a 63-37 decision over Binghamton last night. The Retrievers (11-8, 3-5 America East) produced a 32-3 run from midway in the first half to the opening minutes of the second. The Bearcats (12-7, 5-3) committed 21 turnovers and were outscored 34-8 on turnovers. Binghamton finished with a season-low 37 points on 29.2 percent shooting from the field. York 68, Goucher 51 -- Shadae Swan led all scorers with 17 points, but the host Gophers (6-9, 2-7 Capital Athletic Conference)

Morgan State was staring at yet another defeat in this season of endless losses, but junior guard Joseph McLean simply would not settle for it. So McLean, with an assist from his defense, rose up during crunch time against Howard and finally gave the Bears a reason to smile. He scored seven of Morgan's last nine points, including the go-ahead basket on a driving layup with eight seconds left, to lift the Bears to a come-from-behind, 79-75 victory before 2,576 delirious fans at Hill Field House.

Tiffany Reid scored a team-high 12 points and Toni Kennedy added 11 to lead visiting UMES to a 58-46 victory over Morgan State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game yesterday. The Lady Hawks (7-9, 5-3) took an 11-2 lead after a three-pointer by Kennedy with 12:05 left in the first half. The Bears (2-14, 2-5) countered with six straight points over the next four minutes to pull within 11-8, but that was as close as they would get. The Lady Hawks opened the second half on a 20-11 run to take their largest lead of the game with 9:49 remaining.

Defending Patriot League champion Bucknell served notice yesterday that unseating the Bison this season will be no simple task. On a day when the Alumni Hall court was named for longtime coach and administrator Dave Smalley, Navy's injury-depleted squad could stay with Bucknell for a mere 13 minutes and eventually succumbed, 74-52, in the league opener for both teams before 2,891. Dedication Navy names Alumni Hall court in Dave Smalley's honor. PG 1B

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell basketball coach Pat Flannery preaches that old-time religion of stout defense and pass-and-move offense. But it's his disciples, the feisty Bison, who have performed miracles with three wins over Top 20 teams in the past year, including a stunner over No. 12 Kansas in the opening round of last year's NCAA tournament. With a victory already this season over then-No. 17 Syracuse, Bucknell (9-3) opens its Patriot League season today at Navy (6-6). "I always felt that if you were going to be a good road team, [defense]

Jill Glessner (14 points) led five Greyhounds in double digits as the host Loyola women's basketball team beat Howard, 83-65, last night at Reitz Arena. The Greyhounds (3-2) won their third straight. Loyola shot 54.7 percent from the field, out-rebounded the Lady Bison (1-4) 51-21 and dished out 24 assists to Howard's four. The Greyhounds started the contest with three straight baskets, including two by Vanessa Ruffin. Howard got on the board for the first time at 17:12 with a basket by Ebony Lacey for a 6-2 deficit.

Sophomore guard Tyson Lesesne posted game highs with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead St. Mary's to a 96-85 men's non-conference victory over McDaniel College last night. T.J. Jordan added 19 points for the Seahawks (2-1), and Mike Dipiero scored 16 points with a game-high eight assists for the Green Terror (2-2). FROSTBURG STATE 79, WAYNESBURG 64 - Brian Green scored 18 points for the host Bobcats (3-1). SALISBURY 89, WASHINGTON COLLEGE 74 - Justin Rice scored a game-high 25 points off the bench for the visiting Sea gulls (2-2)