Howard basketball defeated Norfolk State 53-46 on Saturday to claim the MEAC championship for the first time since 2022, as the Bison ended a three-year title drought against the Spartans.
Senior forward Zennia Thomas led Howard basketball with 15 points in the championship win, while senior Nile Miller posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Ariella Henigan rounded out double-digit Bison scoring with 11 points.
The game marked the fifth consecutive year Howard and Norfolk State battled for the MEAC title. Norfolk State won the previous three meetings, before the Bison reversed the trend on a 14-game winning streak.
Howard jumped ahead 16-9 after the first quarter by closing the period on an 8-0 run. Norfolk State answered quickly in the second, scoring seven points in the opening 90 seconds to tie the game. The Spartans then grabbed a 23-20 lead midway through the second quarter and held the advantage until Sa'lah Hemingway's jumper tied the score at 27-27 heading into halftime.
Henigan's mid-range jumper gave the Bison a 51-45 cushion with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Norfolk State managed just one free throw over the final minutes and missed its last seven field goal attempts. Henigan sealed the victory with two free throws with 22 seconds left.
Howard finished the season 26-7 with a 13-1 conference record. The Bison subsequently earned a program-record No. 14 seed Selection Sunday. It marks the highest NCAA tournament seed by any Howard basketball team in history.
Head coach Ty Grace earned MEAC Coach of the Year honors after leading Howard to its first conference tournament title in four years. Thomas claimed MEAC Player of the Year recognition, while Henigan captured MEAC Rookie of the Year.
How to Watch Howard Basketball at the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
The Bison open their March Madness campaign against No. 3 Ohio State on March 21st at 12:30 PM ET, live on ESPN2.
