The Howard Bison defeated the North Carolina Central Eagles by a score of 70-63 in the MEAC Championship at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia on Saturday to advance to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Bison are awaiting Selection Sunday, when brackets are released, to see who they will face off against in the first round.
The game was a close one at halftime, but the Bison pulled away in the second half, getting out to a 41-24 lead with about 16 minutes to go. The Bison were efficient on offense, with four starters in double figures. Guards Ose Okojie, Cam Gillus, and Bryce Harris all scored 14 points, with Cedric Taylor III adding 13 points. Two Howard players had double-doubles, with Taylor III grabbing 12 rebounds and Harris recording 10 rebounds.
Howard finishes the season with a 23-10 record, going 11-3 in the MEAC conference.
Cam Gillus mirrored Howard’s balanced scoring.
“We know that we’re the best team in the league when we play the right way and play together,” Gillus said.
North Carolina Central came into the tournament as sizable underdogs (+1500) to win the MEAC and still made it to the championship game. Guard Diontae Johnson led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points. Gage Lattimore scored 12 points, and Kelechi Okworogwo and Jae Slack had 11 points each.
The Eagles went down by 17 early in the second half, but stormed back to make the game close in the end. They finished the season at 14-18, with an 8-6 record in the MEAC.
For Coach Kenny Blakeney, this win notches his third MEAC championship in four years at Howard. Howard has proven to be a MEAC powerhouse in basketball and is once again going dancing.
Howard’s NCAA tournament opponent will be revealed at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS, Paramount+ and March Madness Live.
William Armstead is a sports reporter for HUNewsService.com.
