Howard Bison Capture Third MEAC Championship in Four Years, Return to NCAA Tournament

The Howard University Bison are heading back to the Big Dance after claiming their third MEAC Tournament championship in four years with a hard-fought 70-63 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia.

While the shooting touch wasn't always there, the Bison controlled the game through the pillars that have defined the Kenneth Blakeney era: toughness, depth, rebounding, and championship-level composure when the stakes were highest. This formula may not always be pretty, but it consistently delivers results when it matters most.

Decisive Second-Half Surge

After taking a narrow 26-23 lead into halftime, Howard burst out of the locker room with the kind of dominant stretch that championship teams produce. The Bison opened the second half with a devastating run that featured contributions from across the roster.

Cedric Taylor III scored inside, Cam Gillus attacked the basket, and Alex Cotton knocked down a transition three-pointer as Howard surged to a commanding 41-24 lead with 16:18 remaining. That 17-point advantage proved crucial as NC Central mounted a late comeback attempt.

Balanced Attack Seals Victory

The Eagles refused to surrender, cutting the deficit to just six points in the final minutes.

• Cam Gillus: 14 points, 7 assists, and 8-of-11 from the free-throw line
• Bryce Harris: 14 points and 10 rebounds
• Ose Okojie: 14 points
• Cedric Taylor III: 13 points and 12 rebounds

Howard dominated the statistical categories that matter most in championship basketball. The Bison controlled the glass with a 38-31 rebounding advantage, converted turnovers into 16 points, and pushed the pace for 23 fast-break points. When the game tightened down the stretch, Howard knocked down 27-of-35 free throws to close it out, even as NC Central shot slightly better from the field overall.

This championship validates what Howard has become under Blakeney's leadership: not a one-year wonder, but a sustained force in HBCU athletics. Three MEAC titles in four seasons represents a historic run that cements the Bison's place among the conference's all-time great programs.

Now, Howard University carries that championship swagger back to the NCAA Tournament, ready to represent the HBCU community on college basketball's biggest stage once again.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.