Box Score | Updated Bracket | MEACHoops.com


NORFOLK, Va., March 12, 2021 – Howard University, the Northern Division’s top seed in the women’s bracket, survived a defensive struggle against Norfolk State in the semifinal round of the 2021 Air Force Reserve MEAC Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Scope Arena, winning 50-44.
 
The Bison, who are making their first title game appearance since 2013 and are seeking their first tournament championship since 2001, will face either Morgan State or North Carolina A&T State in Saturday’s championship final at roughly 3:30 p.m.
 
The game will be shown live on ESPN3 and rebroadcast on ESPNU.
 
Iyanna Warren led all scorers with 18 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Anzhane’ Hutton, the MEAC Rookie of the Year, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and four steals, while also blocking a shot.
 
The game was an offensive struggle on both sides, with neither team shooting 30 percent from the floor. The Bison (15-3) shot 28.1 percent (16-for-57), while the Spartans were 13-for-58 (22.4 percent) from the floor.
 
“That game was definitely ugly,” Howard head coach Ty Grace, the MEAC Coach of the Year, said with a laugh.
 
Howard controlled the contest for much of the first half and held a nine-point lead at the break, 26-17. Warren gave the Bison an 11-point lead, 30-19, with 5:32 left in the third quarter, but the Spartans answered with a 14-3 run, tying the game at 33-all after Jalynn Holmes hit a pair of free throws with 1:23 left in the frame.
 
Niya Fields gave Norfolk State a brief lead early in the fourth quarter, hitting a three at the 9:38 mark that put the Spartans up 36-35 – and ballooned the run to 17-5.
 
But a Krislyn Marsh free throw with 6:27 left gave the Bison the lead for good. Despite not leading by any more than seven down the stretch, Howard kept control in the closing moments and clinched their spot in the title game.
 
Mangela Ngandjui led the Spartans (5-9) with 10 points.