By HBCU Original Staff | Jan. 18, 2026

BALTIMORE — Coppin State welcomed No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday, giving HBCU fans a rare opportunity to see top-tier college basketball in their own backyard. More than 3,300 fans packed the Physical Education Complex, marking the second-largest home crowd in school history. HBCU Original was on site to capture the energy, excitement, and pride of the HBCU community.

Despite a 90-48 loss, the Eagles showed heart. Senior Khila Morris led the team with 20 points, and senior Paris McBride added 12. Coppin State even held a brief 8-7 lead in the first minutes and outrebounded the taller Gamecocks 38-37, proving that grit and determination were on full display.

The game was more than just basketball. Former Eagles star Denikwa James returned to support her alma mater, while Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott took a courtside seat to celebrate HBCU athletics and community impact. Fans of all ages filled the stands early, some lining up hours before tipoff to make sure they didn’t miss the historic matchup. The atmosphere was electric, with chants, cheers, and proud displays of Coppin State gear throughout the arena.

Dawn Staley and her South Carolina squad brought national attention to Coppin State, but the focus remained on the Eagles’ program and the HBCU community. Staley spent more than 30 minutes signing autographs and taking photos, highlighting the respect and visibility these games bring to HBCUs.

Coppin State coach Darrell Mosley said the experience offered his players valuable lessons. “It’s about exposure, experience, and giving our players a chance to measure themselves against top-level competition,” he said. “Games like this help build our program and show that HBCU athletes belong on the national stage.”

For fans, the event was a celebration of HBCU pride, history, and culture. “This is why we support our programs,” said longtime Coppin fan Shelley Favre. “It’s about showing up, celebrating our teams, and supporting the next generation of HBCU athletes.”

Sunday’s game was a reminder that when HBCUs host marquee events, the impact extends far beyond the scoreboard — inspiring players, energizing communities, and showcasing the talent and resilience that make HBCU sports special.

Full Game Stats

Coppin State Eagles (4-16)

• Khila Morris: 20 points, 4 rebounds

• Paris McBride: 12 points, 4 rebounds

• Shanaii Gamble: 6 points, 3 rebounds

• Team Shooting: 32.2% FG, 26.7% 3PT, 68.2% FT

• Rebounds: 38 (15 offensive, 23 defensive)

• Turnovers: 30

• Steals: 0

South Carolina Gamecocks (19-1)

• Joyce Edwards: 26 points, 5 steals, 6 rebounds

• Tessa Johnson: 17 points, 4 assists, 2 steals (5 3-pointers)

• Maddy McDaniel: 6 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds

• Alicia Tournebize: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 block, 1 steal

• Team Shooting: 51.5% FG, 47.4% 3PT, 79.5% FT

• Rebounds: 37 (10 offensive, 27 defensive)

• Turnovers Forced: 30

• Steals: 21

Sunday’s game was a reminder that when HBCUs host marquee events, the impact extends far beyond the scoreboard — inspiring players, energizing communities, and showcasing the talent and resilience that make HBCU sports special.

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• Coppin State → Coppin State Athletics

• MEAC → MEAC Official Site

• Dawn Staley → South Carolina Gamecocks WBB

PHILADELPHIA — The Delaware State Hornets continued their non-conference slate Thursday night, facing a determined Saint Joseph’s squad in a 67–51 contest that showcased resilience, youth development, and flashes of defensive intensity from the Hornets.

After a slow shooting start, Delaware State settled in and found its rhythm midway through the first half, cutting the deficit to just three points at 15–12 following a strong response on both ends of the floor. The Hornets battled through early pressure, showing poise and defensive commitment against a hot-shooting Hawks lineup.

Saint Joseph’s took advantage of perimeter shooting early, building momentum heading into halftime, but Delaware State refused to fold. The Hornets continued to compete after the break, answering runs and playing with energy as the game progressed.

Delaware State showed improved ball movement and defensive presence in the second half, working to close the gap after Saint Joseph’s extended its lead. Despite the final margin, the Hornets’ late push reflected their persistence and growth, particularly against a short-handed but aggressive opponent.

As the season continues, Delaware State remains focused on building chemistry, tightening execution, and turning these competitive moments into wins as conference play approaches.

Final Score: Saint Joseph’s 67, Delaware State 51

PHILADELPHIA — Ose Okojie delivered a composed, physical performance on both ends, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds as Howard held off Drexel, 74-66, on Tuesday night.

The victory marked Howard’s fourth straight win and its first true road victory of the season after three previous attempts. The Bison (8-5) controlled the game early and leaned on efficiency and free-throw shooting down the stretch to seal the win inside Drexel’s home arena.

Howard shot nearly 48 percent from the field and an impressive 92 percent at the free-throw line, knocking down 23 of 25 attempts. Cam Gillus filled the stat sheet with 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Bryce Harris scored 13 points, including seven free throws. Cedric Taylor III added 12 points, punctuating the Bison’s late-game composure with a key layup in the final two minutes.

The Bison seized control early, building a 36-25 halftime lead behind Okojie’s 11 first-half points and Gillus’ perimeter shooting. A Gillus three midway through the opening half gave Howard a lead it would not relinquish after the first two minutes of play, with the margin ballooning to as many as 16 points.

Drexel (4-7) made multiple pushes in the second half behind a career night from Kevon Vanderhorst. The guard poured in 30 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including four three-pointers, and went 10-for-11 from the free-throw line. Villiam Garcia Adsten chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Dragons.

Despite Drexel cutting the deficit to single digits late, Howard’s rebounding advantage (36-22) and poise at the line proved decisive. Okojie secured the defensive rebound on Drexel’s final missed free throw with eight seconds remaining, effectively closing the door.

Howard never trailed after taking a 7-5 lead early in the first half, continuing to show growth away from home as it builds momentum heading deeper into the season.

HBCU Original | On the Ground – Atlanta

ATLANTA — Ten years into the Cricket Celebration Bowl, HBCU football delivered a moment built for history.

South Carolina State erased a stunning 28-0 deficit, survived a late Prairie View A&M haymaker, and outlasted the Panthers through four overtimes to claim a 40–38 victory in the 10th-anniversary Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

For nearly three quarters, Prairie View looked ready to turn the championship stage into a statement. Quarterback Cameron Peters was in full command early, spreading the ball and using his legs to keep the Bulldogs off balance. His opening-quarter touchdown pass to Ethan John set the tone, and by halftime Prairie View had built a commanding 21-0 lead.

The Panthers pushed it to 28-0 early in the third quarter when Peters found Andre Dennis, and the Celebration Bowl crowd braced for a runaway.

Then everything changed.

South Carolina State flipped the game with urgency and belief, leaning heavily on quarterback Ryan Stubblefield, who refused to let the Bulldogs fade. Stubblefield cracked the scoreboard with a short touchdown run, then sparked a rapid surge that included a Jordan Smith rushing score and a Stubblefield-to-Smith touchdown through the air. What once felt insurmountable suddenly became a one-score game.

Early in the fourth quarter, Stubblefield powered in from a yard out, completing the comeback and tying the game at 28–28.

Prairie View still had one more punch. Peters delivered a 78-yard strike to Cameron Bonner to retake the lead, igniting the Panthers’ sideline and threatening to slam the door shut. But Stubblefield answered yet again, engineering a late drive and finding Jordan Smith for the tying touchdown with under two minutes remaining.

Overtime followed — and so did drama.

The teams exchanged field goals in the first extra period. The second overtime passed scoreless. Under the two-point shootout format in the third overtime, both teams came up empty. In the fourth, South Carolina State finally broke through when Tyler Smith converted the Bulldogs’ attempt. Prairie View’s final answer fell short.

The comeback was complete.

South Carolina State had just authored the largest comeback in Celebration Bowl history.

Scoring Summary

1Q (1:02) — PV: Cameron Peters 16-yard TD pass to Ethan John (PV 7-0)
2Q (10:30) — PV: Peters 27-yard TD run (PV 14-0)
2Q (1:05) — PV: Peters 14-yard TD pass to Jyzaiah Rockwell (PV 21-0)
3Q (12:41) — PV: Peters 13-yard TD pass to Andre Dennis (PV 28-0)
3Q (11:19) — SCS: Ryan Stubblefield 5-yard TD run (PV 28-7)
3Q (8:34) — SCS: Jordan Smith 10-yard TD run (PV 28-14)
3Q (5:05) — SCS: Stubblefield 19-yard TD pass to Jordan Smith (PV 28-21)
4Q (10:44) — SCS: Stubblefield 1-yard TD run (28-28)
4Q (9:53) — PV: Peters 78-yard TD pass to Cameron Bonner (PV 35-28)
4Q (1:54) — SCS: Stubblefield 10-yard TD pass to Jordan Smith (35-35)

OT1: Prairie View FG; South Carolina State FG (38-38)
OT2: No scoring
OT3: Two-point tries — both teams fail
OT4: SCS converts (Tyler Smith); PV fails — Final: SCS 40, PV 38

Team Stats

• Total Yards: PV 491 | SCS 357

• Passing: PV 436 | SCS 279

• Rushing: PV 55 | SCS 78

• Time of Possession: PV 25:45 | SCS 34:15

• Turnovers: PV 2 | SCS 1

Game Leaders

South Carolina State

• Ryan Stubblefield: 15-29, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 11 rushes, 11 yards, 3 TD

• Jordan Smith: 9 catches, 152 yards, 2 TD; 1 rushing TD

• Brenyen Scott: 9 tackles (Defensive MVP)

Prairie View A&M

• Cameron Peters: 24-36, 412 yards, 4 TD; 35 rushing yards, TD

• Andre Dennis: 7 catches, 131 yards, TD

• Sterling Roberts: 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks

Records Broken

• Largest comeback in Celebration Bowl history (28 points)

• Most passing yards (team): Prairie View A&M (436)

• Most passing yards (player): Cameron Peters (412)

• Most receptions: Jordan Smith (9)

• Most receiving yards: Jordan Smith (152)

• Attendance: 26,703

Final Word

The four-overtime epic surpassed the two-overtime thriller of 2022, once again raising the bar for the Celebration Bowl stage.

Prairie View A&M lit up the night with record-setting offense. But South Carolina State delivered the lasting image — resilience, belief, and a quarterback who simply refused to let his team fade.

Ten years in, the Cricket Celebration Bowl didn’t just celebrate HBCU football.
It etched another unforgettable chapter in its history.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — December 9, 2025.
In front of 1,694 fans inside the Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena, Coppin State stepped into a tough non-conference road test against a red-hot Saint Joseph’s squad. The Eagles competed with grit and energy throughout the night but ultimately fell, 87–65, as SJU extended its win streak.

For a Coppin team continuing to build chemistry and identity, the night was filled with individual bright spots and a strong showing from the bench.

Strong Individual Performances Highlight Coppin’s Fight

⭐ Nelson Lamizana Sets the Tone

Junior forward Nelson Lamizana delivered a team-high 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His versatility sparked Coppin early and kept the Eagles within reach during key stretches.

🔥 Tyler Koenig Continues His Rise

Koenig added 11 points, battling in the paint and knocking down all three free throws. He also grabbed 4 rebounds and provided steady interior presence.

💪 Bench Brings Energy: 29 Points

Coppin State’s bench was a major bright spot, contributing a strong 29 points:

• Favour Aire: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 4-for-4 at the line.

• Hussain Williams: 7 points, including a deep three.

• Jamari Piercy: 7 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

• Torrin Andrews: Active defensively with 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and a three-pointer.

The Eagles shot 43.9% from the field and an impressive 84.6% at the free throw line, showing improved offensive efficiency—especially in the second half.

Game Flow: Eagles Strike First, Hawks Answer With Runs

Coppin State opened the game strong, taking a 7–4 lead in the first five minutes through tough defense and patient execution.

Saint Joseph’s responded with a 14–1 run that shifted momentum, but Coppin stayed composed and continued to attack.

A late SJU burst sent the Eagles into halftime trailing 43–26.

In the second half, Coppin State played its best basketball of the night—shooting 48% from the floor and hitting all seven free throws. The Eagles pushed the tempo, scored 32 points in the paint, and generated 12 fast break points.

Despite the Hawks maintaining a 20-point cushion, Coppin State’s growth on both ends was evident.

Saint Joseph’s Big Night

SJU was led by Jaiden Glover-Toscano’s career-high 25 points and seven threes, while the Hawks’ ball movement (22 assists on 26 baskets) and free-throw shooting (21-of-24) helped them stay in control.

Justice Ajogbor’s 10 points and 7 boards were boosted by a historic milestone—his 200th career block, placing him among Division I’s elite rim protectors.

Coppin State Team Stats Snapshot

• 65 Points

• 43.9% FG (25–57)

• 22.2% 3PT (4–18)

• 84.6% FT (11–13)

• 26 Rebounds

• 29 Bench Points

• 10 Points Off Turnovers

• 32 Points in the Paint

• 12 Fast Break Points

The Eagles tied the game once early and held the lead briefly before SJU’s offense found rhythm.

Looking Ahead

With MEAC play ahead, this matchup served as valuable preparation for Coppin State. The Eagles showed promise—especially from their young bench—and continue to grow with every outing.

Expect this team to make noise when conference battles begin.

Coppin’s effort, energy, and improving chemistry were on full display in Philadelphia.