Howard University has executed step one in its plan to sweep the men’s and women’s MEAC basketball championships.
Now, the MEAC tournament awaits.
The Bison men (21-10 overall, 11-3 MEAC) overcame an early second-half deficit to beat Norfolk State 84-76, while the Howard women (23-7 overall, 13-1 MEAC) led wire-to-wire for a 74-59 win over the Spartans.
Howard trailed Norfolk State 48-45 when a Cam Gillius three-pointer started a 15-6 run to push the Bison to a 60-54 lead midway through the second half. Defending MEAC champ Norfolk State (15-16, 8-6 MEAC) closed to within four points on an Elijah Jamison bucket, but four free throws from Ose Okojie in the final 15 seconds closed the door.
Gillus, fresh off a triple-double on Monday, led five Bison in double figures with 22 points. Bryce Harris (18 points), Okojie (12 points), Cedric Taylor III (11 points), and Alex Cotton (10 points) also scored double digits for Howard.
The Spartans were led by Devon Ellis’ 22 points.
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In the opening game of the doubleheader, Howard’s women jumped out to an 18-5 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Senior forward Nile Miller compiled a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Zoe Stewart led the Bison with 19 points, and Ariella Heningan went 10 for 10 from the free throw line to pitch in 14 points.
The Spartan women, also the defending MEAC champions, were led by graduate student guard Jasha Clinton’s 19 points. They will open the MEAC tournament as the second seed.
