NORFOLK, Va. (March 15, 2025) – Howard University women's basketball team fell short in the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Title Game, coming up short to rival Norfolk State (NSU), 68-56, inside Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.
 
Junior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) led the Bison with 19 points, including 9-of-10 from the charity stripe, and eight boards.
 
NSU (30-4) held an 11-point lead with 2:59 left in the first quarter after Niya Fields made three consecutive free throws, 18-7. HU fought back, closing the opening period on a 7-2 run, 20-14.
 
In the second, Thomas connected on a pair of freebies and gave Howard its first lead with more than seven minutes before intermission, 21-20.
 
Both squads struggled finding rhythm before the break, but Norfolk State finished the period with a 9-5 spurt to reclaim the upper hand at halftime, 29-26.
 
Norfolk State extended its advantage back to double digits after intermission, 40-30, with a layup from Diamond Johnson. NSU secured a 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter, 43-32.
 
In the final frame, NSU ballooned the deficit with a 12-2 run; thus, holding its largest lead of the game, 55-35.
 
Howard refused to go down without a fight, cutting the margin back to single digits with less than three minutes remaining, 58-51.
 
Despite the Bison's comeback bid, NSU finished the contest on a 10-5 spurt to claim its third straight MEAC Tournament title.
 
Graduate guard Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) had 12 points and five assists while MEAC Rookie of the Year Saniyah King (Washington) notched eight points, six assists and three boards in the loss.
 
After the game, Howell and Thomas was named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
For Norfolk State, Kierra Wheeler registered 19 points, seven rebounds, six blocks and four steals. Johnson netted 16 points in the victory. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team. Wheeler was selected Tournament Outstanding Player and Spartans head coach Larry Vickers, 2025 MEAC Coach of the Year, took home Tournament Outstanding Coach.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.