NORFOLK, Va. (March 8, 2023) – Howard University men's basketball team moved on to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Semifinal round after a dominating win over South Carolina State (SCSU), 91-55, inside the Norfolk Scope Arena.
 
With the victory, HU secured its first 20-win season since 1987 and awaits Thursday's winner between No. 4 Maryland Eastern Shore and No. 5 Morgan State.
 
"I'm extremely pleased with this effort from our guys tonight," said Howard men's basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney postgame. "There's two ways to win in these kinds of tournaments; really hot shooting and stifling defense. We did both tonight."
 
Overall, 13 Bison scored on the night, led by sophomore guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds.
 
Junior forward Jordan Wood (San Antonio) won the opening tip that setup a lob from second-year Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (Washington) to freshman phenom forward Shy Odom (Roxbury, Mass.) and put Howard on the board first.
 
The pace for the game was set early on, a very quick game with turnovers from both ends.
 
Blakeney, MEAC Coach of the Year, made changes early in the game, subbing five new Bison. HU struggled with shots falling but made up for it on the defensive end. All-MEAC Third Team selection guard Jelani Williams (Washington) came up big with two blocks.
 
Both squads were deadlocked at 12 apiece until the Bison went on a 15-0 run to create separation.
 
At the 3-minute mark, senior guard Khalil Robinson (Columbia, S.C.) knocked down a three to put the Bison ahead by 17 points. Howard held a 38-21 halftime advantage.
 
In the first half, Howard held the Bulldogs to only 25-percent shooting.
 
"We really committed to our defense," Blakeney continued. "Our effort, energy, hustle and togetherness on the defensive end made a big difference."
 
Sophomore guard Marcus Dockery (Washington) opened the second half with a pair of knocked down three-point shots. Odom executed another "and one" play, followed by Wood crashing the boards with a lay-up. Howard quickly doubled its halftime lead, 61-27, at the 13-minute mark.
 
With six minutes left, Howard was ahead by 40 points and the remainder of the game was spent primarily in the Bison's halfcourt offense.
 
Odom, MEAC Rookie of the Year, finished with 13 points and four dimes while Hawkins, All-MEAC First Team selection, added 10 points, six assists and three steals.
 
SCSU closed out its 2022-23 campaign with a 5-26 (2-12 MEAC) mark.
 
For more information, visit meacsports.com or the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.