Men's Basketball | 3/17/2026 9:33:41 PM

History was made Tuesday night as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Howard University Bison captured their first NCAA Tournament victory, defeating UMBC 86–83 in the First Four at UD Arena.

With the win, the No. 16-seeded Bison (24–10) advance to the Round of 64, where they will face No. 1 seed Michigan on Thursday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

Howard, making just its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, entered the night seeking its first breakthrough on college basketball’s biggest stage, and delivered in dramatic fashion.

Guard Ose Okojie  led the charge with a career-high 23 points, showcasing poise and resilience while playing much of the second half in foul trouble. Okojie’s early scoring set the tone, as he poured in 16 first-half points to help the Bison build a 49–41 halftime advantage.

MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris  added a dominant performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, including a clutch turnaround jumper in the final seconds that proved to be the game’s defining moment. His late-game heroics helped fend off a determined UMBC rally.

Cedric Taylor also contributed significantly with 16 points, converting 9-of-10 from the free-throw line and providing steady production throughout the contest.

Howard controlled the game for the majority of the night, leading for all but the opening moments and building a lead as large as 13 points. However, UMBC (24–9) mounted a late push, cutting the deficit to two points in the final minute. A three-pointer by DJ Armstrong Jr. brought the Retrievers within 83–81 with 43 seconds remaining, setting up a tense finish.

Harris answered with a critical basket as the shot clock expired, extending the lead and preserving Howard’s advantage. After a late UMBC layup trimmed the margin again, the Bison sealed the victory at the free-throw line and held off a final three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Under the leadership of head coach Kenneth Blakeney, Howard continues its upward trajectory, building on recent MEAC Tournament titles and NCAA appearances in 2023 and 2024. Tuesday’s win marks a milestone moment not only for the program, but for the conference as a whole.

The Bison now turn their attention to a formidable challenge in top-seeded Michigan, with an opportunity to continue their historic run on Thursday.