NORFOLK, Va. (March 9, 2022) – Howard University men's basketball team saw its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title hopes come to an end in the quarterfinal round after Coppin State's (CSU) Nendah Tarke nailed a game-winning pull up jumper with only 0.2 left.
 
With 18 ticks remaining, MEAC Rookie of the Year Elijah Hawkins (Washington) split a pair of freebies and tied the contest at 57 apiece, but it was too much time on the clock. In the waning moments, Tarke waved off his teammates and drove to the right elbow for a pull up jumper that sent CSU to the semifinal round.

"I give Coppin State credit," said Howard men's basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney postgame. "They executed what they needed to do in order to win."
 
Despite shooting only 30-percent (18-of-61) from the floor, HU managed to get to the foul line where they shot over 78-percent (18-of-23) on the night.
 
Redshirt sophomore Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) notched his second career double-double, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds (career-high), while Hawkins added 11 points, six boards and four assists in the loss.
 
Moments in the contest, graduate Tai Bibbs (Chicago) nailed a jumper and put the Bison ahead early, 4-2, but Coppin State quickly grabbed the upper hand and never let go.
 
Throughout the night, Howard battled multiple double-digit deficits and made several runs, but the Eagles responded with clutch shots.
 
With more than six minutes remaining in the game, Settle tied the contest after splitting two free throws, 50-50, but CSU's Kyle Cardaci connected from downtown and put the Eagles ahead again, 53-50.
 
A few minutes later, Tarke delivered the game-winner for Coppin State.
 
Freshman Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) provided a spark off the bench, falling just short of a double-double (10 rebounds and nine points).
 
For HU (16-13), they secured their first winning season since 2001.

"I'm really proud of our guys," Blakeney added. "It's been a process for us, but we're taking the steps in the right direction for the program."
 
Coppin State (8-22) advances to the MEAC Semifinal round where they will face either No. 3 North Carolina Central or No. 6 Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Tarke ended the night with a double-double, registering 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.