NORFOLK, Va. (March 14, 2025) – Howard University women's basketball team advanced to its fifth consecutive MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Title game after defeating Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), 67-59, in the semifinal round at Scope Arena.
 
Graduate guard Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) and junior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) led the Bison attack, each producing a double-double in the victory.
 
UMES (14-17) held a 12-7 advantage after a pair of freebies from Brianna Barnes, but the Bison responded with a 10-0 run and took a five-point lead into the second period, 17-12.
 
Throughout the second quarter, Howard held the upper hand, but UMES refused to go away. Maryland Eastern Shore pulled within three after a layup from Amira Ofunniyin, 27-24, but HU answered with a 7-2 spurt, capped off by Howell's long ball, to close the half, 34-26.
 
Howard came out firing on all cylinders after intermission, extending its advantage to double digits while holding the Hawks to only 15-percent shooting (2-of-13) in the period. After three, HU held a 56-38 lead.
 
"The third quarter was key," said Coach Howard Bison head coach Ty Grace. "At halftime, we told them we were not playing with purpose and were not being effective on defense. Zennia and Destiny gave us the spark we needed."
 
UMES made one final run, but unable to pull within single digits until five ticks remaining, 67-59.
 
Howell filled the stat sheet with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. Thomas notched a career-high 27 points and 11 boards in the win.
 
Four Hawks reached double figures in scoring, led by Zamara Haynes with 16 points. Barnes added 11 points and Mahogany Lester and Ashanti Lynch each registered 10 points in a losing cause.
 
With the victory, HU (21-10) meets rival Norfolk State for the fourth straight year Saturday (March 15) for a chance to dance at the NCAA Tournament. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m., live on ESPNews.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.