Both of the top seeds in the MEAC women’s basketball tournament advanced to Friday’s semifinal round.
Though it took one team just a little longer to do it.
No. 1 seed Howard never trailed in defeating No. 8 South Carolina State 75-43 while No. 2 Maryland Eastern Shore finally put away Delaware State 55-48 after a few anxious moments.
Howard (24-7) jumped out to a 16-3 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, outscoring South Carolina State in all four quarters.
MEAC Player of the Year Zennia Thomas led the Bison with 19 points and 9 rebounds while three other players – Sa’lah Hemingway, Ariella Henigan and Jada Kendrick – scored 9 points each. 10 of the 12 Bison that saw playing time hit the scorebook.
Shaunice Reed led South Carolina State, who finished their season 5-25, with 15 points.
HU 🗣️ on to the next 👏#NCAAWBB x 🎥 @MEACSports @Howard_WBB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 11, 2026
The Hawks had a little more trouble with the 7th-seeded Hornets. Early in the fourth quarter, sophomore forward Ericka Huggins made a layup and freshman center Liliana Harrison hit the back end of two free throws to put DSU (7-23) ahead 40-38.
Maryland Eastern Shore (19-11) took the lead back for good on a pair of Dashawnna Carter free throws. Anise Geiger (10 points, 11 rebounds) hit two free throws with 36 left to pull DSU within two points (50-48), but the Hawks hit five free throws and held DelState scoreless the rest of the way.
Howard will face the winner of Coppin State/North Carolina Central Friday at 12 p.m., with UMES playing the winner of Norfolk State/Morgan State following that game.
