Box Score
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A strong fourth quarter -- and double-doubles from Brooklyn Fort-Davis and Krislyn Marsh -- led Howard University to a 55-51 win over Incarnate Word Wednesday evening in Colonial Life Arena in the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Div. I Women's Basketball Championship.
The Bison (21-9) advance to Friday's first round, where they will face overall No. 1 seed South Carolina. Game time is set for 2 p.m. and the contest will be televised live on ESPN.
This is the first-ever NCAA Div. I Tournament win for the Bison and the second in MEAC women's basketball history; in 1983, South Carolina State won its NCAA play-in game against La Salle (85-67). The Bison are making their sixth NCAA appearance and their first since 2001.
"I'm so thankful for these young women that made history tonight," Bison head coach ty Grace said postgame. "I'm really proud of them and thank you to the Bison community for all their support. I'm elated and thankful to represent this proud University."
Fort-Davis led the way with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Marsh had 14 points and 16 boards (to go along with two blocks and two steals). Destiny Howell, the MEAC Basketball Tournament Outstanding Performer, was also in double figures with 11 points.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair that featured 12 ties and nine lead changes with neither team leading more than seven points throughout the night. MEAC tournament champion Howard trailed 40-35 after three quarters, but the Bison dropped 20 points in the final frame to take and keep the lead. Incarnate Word led 48-47 with 3:53 remaining after a Tiana Garner jumper, but Fort-Davis converted a layup with 1:20 left in the contest to put Howard up for good.
"My shots were not falling," Fort-Davis said. "But I really excel in crashing the boards. Even though the shots were not falling, I kept attacking the boards because I'm really good at that."
Added Marsh: "I knew the offensive boards were going to be extremely important. I knew they were playing behind us, so I wanted to capitalize on that."
Gardner led Incarnate Word (13-17), the Southland champion, with 18 points.