Howard Bison Claim Third MEAC Championship in Four Years, Punch NCAA Tournament Ticket

The Howard University Bison have cemented their status as a MEAC powerhouse, capturing their third conference championship in four seasons with a 70-63 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday at the Scope Arena. The triumph not only secured the tournament crown but also punched Howard's ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

The championship game opened as a tightly contested battle, featuring five lead changes and three ties in the first 20 minutes as both teams struggled to establish offensive rhythm. North Carolina Central shot just 28% from the field in the opening half, but aggressive work on the glass kept the Eagles close, trailing only 26-23 at halftime.

MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris provided the offensive spark Howard needed early, draining two three-pointers to ignite a 9-2 run.

Second-Half Surge Seals Victory

The Bison came out of the locker room with championship intensity, opening the second half with a devastating 14-4 run. The surge, capped by a thunderous putback dunk from Cedric Taylor III, extended Howard's advantage to 48-34 and put the Eagles on their heels.

North Carolina Central refused to go quietly, clawing back to within six points on a three-point play by Kyric Davis and subsequent free throws. However, the Bison showed championship poise down the stretch:

• Harris delivered a dagger three-pointer at the 4:17 mark
• The Bison finished 14 points for the game
• Howard converted 8-of-9 free throws in the final three minutes to seal the victory

With the MEAC championship secured, Howard now awaits Selection Sunday to learn their opponent in the NCAA Tournament when the full 68-team bracket is revealed. The Bison's consistent excellence under the bright lights continues to shine as a source of pride for the entire HBCU community.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.