NORFOLK, VA -- The Howard University Bison advances to the 2021 Air Force Reserve MEAC Tournament finals for the first time since 2013, after defeating the Norfolk State University Spartans 55-40, Friday afternoon in Norfolk Scope Arena.

The Bison improves to 15-3, while the Spartans fall to 5-9 to conclude their season. 

HOW IT HAPPEN

Howard's Jayla Thornton (Newark, NJ) got the scoring started for the Bison, dropping one from long distance, thirty seconds into the contest to spark an 8-0 run, Howard would finish the quarter leading 16-4. 

The Spartans opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run, to close the gap, 14-17 at the 6:42 mark.  Howard answered back with a 9-3 run to close the first half leading 26-17. 

Howard extended to an 11-point lead, 30-19 with 5:32 left in the third quarter when the Spartans, but the Spartans answered with a 14-3 run, tying the game at 33 with 1:23 left in the third quarter. 

Norfolk took a 36-35 lead at the 9:38 mark. Howard's Krislyn Marsh sank a free throw 6:27 left to give the Bison the lead for good. Howard closed out the game on a 10-5 lead. 

Iyanna Warren was the lone Bison to score in double-digits tying a career-best 18 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Anzhane' Hutton recorded seven points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and a block. Krislyn Marsh also scored seven points, recorded a game-high 12 rebounds. 

Howard struggled on the offensive side, shooting 28 percent (16-of-57) from the floor, and 48% percent (15-of-31) from the charity stripe. The Bison out-rebounded the Spartans 52-47. 


Head Coach Ty Grace Thoughts:

... on the quick start, and grinding to a win:

"...I just think a level of focus, they really wanted to get after it. We talked about coming out and starting a tempo and having the lead, and being able to control the game a little bit. The game settled in, and they never quit, the game just got settled and they kept fighting and kept their composure, they never bowed down and I was really proud of that."

... on what she told the team in the fourth quarter:

"..I told them that it wasn't going to be about the better team with the better team skill-wise or the most talented, it was going to be about who wanted it more. Who is going to be more determined to get shots, to rebound, to do the dirty work, and they did and understood that. We realized that we had to have that grit and that determination and that want once again to want it more than they did. 

... on Warren's strong performance:

"...Her (Warren) aggressiveness, she's been playing well the last four games to end the season. Her confidence is at an all-time high, I'm glad for that because she deserves it, she works really hard, and I am glad she is believing in herself and can guide and lead this team..."

... if play back-to-back games this season helps for the turnaround game:

"... I think so, this is the type of prep that we didn't have years before, you usually come in and play these back-to-back game is a little difficult. We have that experience now, we know what that means to come back and reevaluate and prep in less than 24 hour period, I think we will be ok..."

UP NEXT:

The Bison will face North Carolina A&T after the Aggies defeated Morgan State 69-54 in the Semifinals. This contest will be the battle of the number one (Aggies) and number two (Bison) offense. 

Howard holds a 45-32 advantage over the Aggies. N.C. A&T has won nine of the last ten meetings including the last six. 

The Championship game will be played on Saturday, March 13 in the Norfolk Scope Arena, tipoff is set for 3:00 pm. The game will be featured on ESPN3.