RALEIGH, N.C., March 23, 2025 – North Carolina A&T State University reclaimed its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), securing its ninth MEAC Bowling Championship with a dominant 4-1 victory over the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) on Sunday, March 23.

As the tournament’s top seed, the Aggies swept all four of their matches en route to the 2025 championship title, earning the MEAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Bowling Tournament. This victory marks North Carolina A&T’s fourth MEAC title in the past five years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2025).

The 2025 NCAA Bowling Championship selection show will air on NCAA.com at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 26. The championship matches will take place at Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, NV, from April 11-12.

Match Recap

North Carolina A&T set the tone early, using five strikes and three spares in Game 1 to claim a 183-163 win, with Maya Avilez delivering a crucial double in the tenth frame. UAB responded with three strikes and five spares but left two frames open.

The Aggies edged out the Blazers in Game 2, winning 179-167 with four strikes and five spares, extending their match lead to 2-0.

In Game 3, N.C. A&T increased its advantage to 3-0 with a 187-175 victory. Laura Garcia’s two strikes in the second and seventh frames proved pivotal, while UAB’s Madison Colston kept her team in the fight with a turkey (three consecutive strikes) in the tenth frame.

UAB fought back in Game 4, narrowing the match deficit to 3-1 with a 171-162 win. The Blazers tallied two strikes and six spares, capitalizing on N.C. A&T’s two open frames.

The Aggies sealed the championship in Game 5 with a commanding 196-145 win. Four strikes and five spares helped N.C. A&T clinch the 4-1 match victory, while UAB struggled, leaving four frames open.

2025 MEAC Bowling Championship – Best-of-Seven Baker Scores

• Game 1: N.C. A&T 183 – UAB 163 (N.C. A&T leads 1-0)

• Game 2: N.C. A&T 179 – UAB 167 (N.C. A&T leads 2-0)

• Game 3: N.C. A&T 187 – UAB 175 (N.C. A&T leads 3-0)

• Game 4: UAB 171 – N.C. A&T 162 (N.C. A&T leads 3-1)

• Game 5: N.C. A&T 196 – UAB 145 (N.C. A&T wins 4-1)

2025 MEAC Bowling Championship – All-Tournament Team

• Most Outstanding Bowler: Maya Avilez, North Carolina A&T State University

• Most Outstanding Coach: Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T State University

All-Tournament Selections:

• Maya Avilez, North Carolina A&T State University

• Madison Colston, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Jordan Shipp, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Diana Ochoa Hubbard, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

• Emily Breidegam, Delaware State University

With this victory, North Carolina A&T looks ahead to the NCAA Bowling Tournament, where they aim to continue their dominant run on the national stage.

Norfolk State University’s basketball teams showcased commendable efforts in the 2025 NCAA Tournaments. Here’s a recap of their journeys:​

Men’s Basketball Team:

The Spartans secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament by clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament title. In a thrilling championship game, they overcame an 11-point deficit to edge out South Carolina State with a 66-65 victory. This win marked their fourth MEAC Tournament title and earned them the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. ​

Entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 16 seed in the West Region, Norfolk State faced the formidable No. 1 seed, Florida Gators, on March 21. Despite a valiant effort, the Spartans fell to the Gators with a final score of 95-69, concluding their tournament run. ​FOX Sports+3Norfolk State University Athletics+3SI+3

Women’s Basketball Team:

The Norfolk State women’s basketball team continued their streak of excellence by securing their fourth consecutive MEAC Tournament championship in 2025, thereby earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. ​SI+2Norfolk State University Athletics+2Norfolk State University Athletics+2

As a No. 13 seed, the Spartans faced No. 4 seed Maryland in the first round. Despite a determined performance, they were defeated with a final score of 82-69, ending their tournament journey. ​Reuters+1swishappeal.com+1

These appearances underscore the resilience and competitive spirit of Norfolk State’s basketball programs, highlighting their continued prominence in collegiate basketball.

Hornets Show Fight but Fall Short Against Top-Seeded Tigers

Alabama State’s tournament journey came to an end in a tough 83-63 loss to Auburn in the opening round. The SWAC champions entered the game as heavy underdogs but showed heart and resilience before ultimately succumbing to the top-seeded Tigers’ firepower.

Auburn’s Shooting Proves Too Much

Senior guard Miles Kelly was the star of the night, lighting up the scoreboard with 23 points, including eight three-pointers. His sharpshooting stretched Alabama State’s defense, making it difficult for the Hornets to gain control. Despite their efforts to close the gap, Alabama State struggled to slow down Auburn’s offensive rhythm.

Hornets’ Missed Opportunities

The Hornets had moments where they threatened to shift the momentum, especially in the first half when they were on the verge of taking the lead. However, missed free throws proved costly, allowing Auburn to seize control. The Tigers capitalized on Alabama State’s struggles by closing the first half on a decisive 9-0 run, effectively putting the game out of reach.

A Hard-Fought Effort

Alabama State played with passion and intensity, showcasing why they were SWAC champions. They fought until the final buzzer, but Auburn’s depth and experience proved too much to overcome. Despite the loss, the Hornets demonstrated the grit and determination that defines HBCU basketball on the national stage.

What’s Next for Auburn?

With this victory, Auburn moves on to face 9-seed Creighton in the second round. Creighton’s high-scoring offense, which powered them past Louisville, will present a new challenge for the Tigers. If Auburn hopes to advance further, they will need to bring their defensive prowess to counter Creighton’s sharpshooters.

Although Alabama State’s tournament run has come to an end, they leave with valuable experience and the pride of representing their conference on the big stage. The Hornets may be out of the tournament, but their performance showcased the growing strength and talent of HBCU basketball.

March Madness delivered a dose of pure excitement as Alabama State secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in a heart-stopping fashion. The Hornets, champions of the SWAC, faced off against NEC champion Saint Francis in a First Four matchup that left fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

In a back-and-forth battle where neither team was willing to give an inch, the game was tied 68-68 with just seconds remaining. Then, in a moment that will go down in Alabama State history, the Hornets executed a perfect Hail Mary-style inbounds pass, leading to a game-winning bucket with less than a second left on the clock. The 70-68 victory sent the Alabama State faithful into a frenzy and secured their place in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

A Historic Milestone for the Hornets

This win marked Alabama State’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, an achievement that not only adds a new chapter to the program’s history but also grants them an opportunity to take on a powerhouse in the next round. Awaiting them is a formidable opponent—the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, Auburn.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Alabama State’s head coach, Tony Madlock, will have a reunion of sorts when he leads his team against Auburn. Madlock previously served as an assistant coach for the Tigers from 2010-2014, making this upcoming matchup even more compelling.

Looking Ahead to the First Round

With momentum on their side, the Hornets will need to bring their best effort against Auburn, a team that has dominated throughout the season. While Alabama State enters the matchup as the clear underdog, the magic of March Madness has proven time and time again that anything is possible.

Will the Hornets continue their Cinderella story and shock the tournament’s top seed? All eyes will be on Thursday’s first-round clash as Alabama State looks to make history once again.

Stay tuned for all the updates, highlights, and analysis as the NCAA Tournament unfolds!

The Norfolk State women’s basketball team continued its reign of excellence, defeating Howard 68-56 in the MEAC Championship game. This marks the Spartans’ third consecutive conference title, solidifying their reputation as one of the top programs in the MEAC.

Kierra Wheeler led the charge with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Diamond Johnson added 16 points. Da’Brya Clark contributed 10 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Head coach Larry Vickers praised his team’s resilience and experience, emphasizing their readiness for the NCAA Tournament.

“This team has been here before, and we know what it takes to win at the next level,” said Vickers. “Now, we shift our focus to making a strong statement in the NCAA Tournament.”

The Spartans improved to 30-4 on the season and will learn their tournament seeding and first-round opponent during Sunday’s Selection Show at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.