NORFOLK, Va. (March 11, 2023) – Howard University men's basketball team heads to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2002 when they face rival Norfolk State. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m., inside the Norfolk Scope Arena, and live on ESPN2.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can follow all the action via ESPN2 and/or live stats. Fans can also live listen to the action via WHBC96.3DH3.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison earned a semifinal win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 74-55, and advanced to Championship Saturday.
 
MEAC Rookie of the Year freshman forward Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) registered his second career double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) while redshirt junior forward Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) added 16 points in the win.
 
Sophomore guard Marcus Dockery (Washington) wrapped up the night with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting.
 
Howard showcased phenomenal defensive efforts while outrebounding the Hawks, 46-32.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
Earlier in the season, the Bison defeated the Spartans by one point one the road, setting the tone for the season. To follow up, Howard made a statement against last year's regular season and tournament champions at home, winning by 20 points, 87-67, in the season finale.
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison (21-12, 11-3 MEAC) earned their first outright MEAC title since 1987, defeating rival Norfolk State, 87-67, in the regular season finale at Burr Gymnasium.
 
With each round, the Bison's target on their back grows. But Howard has proven that they can play their own game despite the circumstance; circulating the ball and continuing to find looks for various players.
 
Before conference tournament play, the Bison earned five different MEAC accolades: All-MEAC First Team (Elijah Hawkins), All-MEAC Second Team (Settle), All-MEAC Third Team (Jelani Williams), Rookie of the Year (Odom) and Coach of the Year (Kenneth Blakeney).
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
Norfolk State is led by fifth-year Joe Bryant Jr., averaging 17.6 ppg. Graduate student Kris Bankston with 14.2 ppg and junior Caheim Brown with 11.8 ppg.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Howard's season is not quite over if they can claim the MEAC Tournament trophy. Their eyes would focus on the NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday to see which team they would play. Selection Sunday will be aired live on CBS at 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit meacsports.com or the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.