NORFOLK, Va. — Howard University claimed the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament title Saturday with a 53–46 win over Norfolk State at The Scope, completing a sweep of the league’s tournament crowns after the Howard men also won the MEAC championship.

The Bison, who last earned a MEAC title and NCAA automatic bid in 2022, were led by MEAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Zennia Thomas, who posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Nile Miller added 12 points and a game-high 13 boards, while Ariella Henigan, the league’s Rookie of the Year, chipped in 11 points. Howard improved to 26–7 on the season.

Norfolk State, aiming for a fourth consecutive MEAC tournament title and NCAA berth, finished its campaign at 18–13. Jasha Hinton led the Spartans with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Anjanae Richardson added 10 points.

After trailing 16–9 after the first quarter, Norfolk State rallied to tie the game 27–27 at halftime. Howard responded in the second half with key baskets from Zoe Stewart and a 9–2 run that gave the Bison a 42–33 advantage after three quarters. Norfolk State closed the gap to 47–43 in the final period, but Howard’s Miller scored inside to extend the lead, and the Bison finished strong with four of the game’s final seven points to secure the 53–46 win.

Head coach Ty Grace praised the Spartans’ program and credited his team’s preparation and execution. Miller, the lone senior at the postgame press conference, reflected on finally capturing a MEAC title after four seasons of trying.

2026 MEAC Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team

• Zennia Thomas, Howard (Tournament Outstanding Player)

• Ariella Henigan, Howard

• Jasha Clinton, Norfolk State

• Anjanae Richardson, Norfolk State

• Kaliya Perry, UMES

NORFOLK, Va. — Howard University captured the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Basketball Tournament championship Saturday with a 70–63 victory over North Carolina Central.

The Bison were led by Bryce Harris, Cam Gillus, and Ose Okojie, who each scored 14 points to power Howard to the conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Harris delivered a standout performance throughout the tournament and was named the MEAC Tournament Outstanding Player. Howard head coach Kenneth Blakney was also honored, earning Outstanding Coach recognition after guiding the Bison to the championship.

Howard’s balanced scoring and defensive effort helped secure the win against North Carolina Central in a tightly contested title game. The victory marks another milestone for the Bison program as they return to the national stage.

North Carolina Central received strong performances during the tournament from Dionte Johnson and Gage Lattimore, both of whom were recognized on the All-Tournament Team.

2026 MEAC Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Bryce Harris — Howard (Tournament Outstanding Player)
Cam Gillus — Howard
Cedric Taylor III — Howard
Dionte Johnson — North Carolina Central
Gage Lattimore — North Carolina Central

Howard head coach Kenneth Blakney was named the MEAC Tournament Outstanding Coach for his leadership throughout the championship run.

INDIANA, Pa. — The No. 13 Winston-Salem State Lady Rams continued their strong postseason run Saturday evening, defeating Gannon University 67–48 in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.

With the victory, Winston-Salem State improves to 28–3 on the season and advances to the Atlantic Region championship game.

Maia Charles led the Lady Rams with a game-high 19 points, while Makayla Waleed and Jakaiya Mack each added 10 points to help pace the offense.

Winston-Salem State controlled the game early, jumping out to a 9–0 lead in the opening quarter following a jumper by Waleed. The Lady Rams continued to build momentum and pushed the advantage to 19–4 after a three-pointer midway through the period. Gannon responded with an 11–4 run late in the quarter, but Winston-Salem State still carried a 23–15 lead into the second.

The Lady Rams extended their lead in the second quarter. Charles scored on a layup to make it 28–15, and a three-pointer from Nevaeh Farmer stretched the margin to 35–21. Winston-Salem State closed the half in style when Alana Biosse knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Lady Rams into halftime with a 43–28 advantage.

Winston-Salem State continued to maintain control in the third quarter. A 7–2 run capped by a layup from Mack pushed the lead to 50–32, and the Lady Rams carried a 57–37 advantage into the final period.

Gannon attempted to rally in the fourth quarter with a 7–2 run that cut the deficit to 59–44, but the Lady Rams responded quickly. Charles added another basket late, and Winston-Salem State sealed the victory at the free-throw line to secure the 67–48 win.

The Lady Rams finished the game shooting 23-of-53 from the field and an impressive 8-of-15 from three-point range. Winston-Salem State also forced 23 turnovers, recorded 16 steals, grabbed 35 rebounds, and scored 26 points in the paint.

With the win, Winston-Salem State advances to face either No. 1 Indiana (Pa.) or No. 4 Seton Hill in the Atlantic Region championship game on March 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.

DAVIE, Fla. — The Morehouse Maroon Tigers saw their postseason run come to an end Saturday night as top-seeded Nova Southeastern pulled away for a 94–60 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Division II South Regional at Rick Case Arena.

Morehouse, the SIAC Tournament champion, finished the season with a 22–10 record after making its first NCAA regional appearance since 2018.

The Maroon Tigers showed early energy and briefly held the lead during the first half. Jared White opened the scoring for Morehouse with a three-pointer, while Sincere Moore and Brandon Peters added baskets to give the Maroon Tigers an early 8–7 advantage. Josiah Lawson later knocked down a transition three-pointer, and Logan McCormick added a free throw to push Morehouse ahead 12–11 midway through the opening half.

Nova Southeastern quickly responded with a decisive run that shifted the momentum. The Sharks used offensive rebounds and turnovers to spark a 12–0 surge, turning a one-point deficit into a 23–12 lead. Morehouse stayed within striking distance thanks to baskets from Lawson, Moore, and McCormick, trimming the deficit to 30–23 with five minutes left in the half.

However, Nova Southeastern closed the half strong, using interior scoring and second-chance opportunities to extend the lead to 44–29 at the break.

The Sharks continued their momentum early in the second half. An 8–0 run highlighted by two three-pointers from Eli Allen quickly stretched the advantage to 52–29. Although Lawson and Moore added baskets for the Maroon Tigers, Nova Southeastern maintained control with consistent scoring in the paint and strong play in transition.

Dallas Graziani knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead to 65–38, and the Sharks continued to build the margin throughout the second half. Morehouse received contributions from McCormick, Peters, White, and JerMontae Hill, while Tre Lockett added two late three-pointers, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Nova Southeastern dominated the glass with a 51–32 rebounding advantage and forced 20 Morehouse turnovers, converting those opportunities into a 24–3 edge in points off turnovers.

McCormick led Morehouse with 15 points and five rebounds while shooting 6-of-7 from the field. Moore added 14 points and five rebounds, while Lawson finished with nine points. White contributed eight points and four rebounds, and Lockett scored six points on a pair of three-pointers.

Despite the loss, the Maroon Tigers close the season with a strong campaign that included the SIAC East Division title and the SIAC Tournament championship, finishing 22–10 overall and 19–5 in conference play.

ERIE, Pa. — Fayetteville State’s postseason run came to an end Saturday night as California (Pa.) pulled away in the second half to defeat the Broncos 96–83 in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Quarterfinal at the Highmark Events Center.

The loss closes the season for Fayetteville State with a strong 23–7 record after a year that included a CIAA championship and a 17-game winning streak entering the NCAA Tournament.

The Broncos controlled much of the first half and kept the game tight through consistent scoring and strong bench play. Terrell Williams knocked down an early three-pointer, while Ezekiel Cannedy provided an offensive spark with a pair of shots from beyond the arc. Romeo Aquino added a transition three to help Fayetteville State take the lead midway through the half.

Larry Howell contributed inside with a tip-in and free throw to tie the game at 14–14. Late in the half, Cannedy hit a three-pointer from the right wing to give the Broncos a 45–42 advantage before California (Pa.) answered with a basket at the buzzer to cut the deficit to 45–44 at halftime.

The momentum shifted early in the second half. After Aquino scored to push the Broncos ahead 47–44, California (Pa.) responded with a decisive run. Jordyn Buchanan hit a three-pointer, Bryson Lucas converted an and-one opportunity in transition, and Brayden Reynolds added a layup to give the Vulcans the lead.

Lucas continued to lead the surge with a three-pointer and two breakaway dunks, helping California (Pa.) extend the lead to 72–54 with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Fayetteville State attempted to rally behind key plays from its offense. Cannedy connected on another deep three, Darius Boben scored through contact, and Kenneth Brayboy added multiple dunks late in the game. However, each push by the Broncos was met with timely scoring from the Vulcans to maintain control.

Lucas sealed the game with another basket in the closing minutes, while Reynolds added a free throw in the final minute to secure the victory.

Cannedy led Fayetteville State with 20 points and four three-pointers. Howell recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while adding four assists, and Williams finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists for another double-double performance.

Boben added eight points with several second-chance baskets, and Brayboy contributed eight points with late dunks. The Broncos shot 35.3 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range but stayed competitive thanks to 23 second-chance points and 34 points from the bench.

California (Pa.) was led by Lucas, who scored 33 points on 14-of-21 shooting while grabbing 16 rebounds. Buchanan added 23 points with six three-pointers, and Reynolds finished with 13 assists to guide the offense.

Despite the loss, Fayetteville State closes the season with one of the program’s most successful campaigns, highlighted by a conference championship and a deep postseason run that showcased the Broncos’ depth and resilience.