WASHINGTON (March 4, 2026) – Howard University men's basketball team squares off against Norfolk State (NSU) in another classic battle Thursday (March 5) inside the Joseph G. Echols Gymnasium. The tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
The Bison (20-10, 10-3 MEAC) are looking to extend their current five-game streak (longest of the season), capture the regular season title and first-round bye into the conference tournament semifinal round. NSU (15-15, 8-5 MEAC), the defending MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Champions, is looking to carry some momentum into next week's tournament.
 
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Bison Nation can follow all the action via live stats.
 
COACHES
 
Howard is led by Kenneth Blakeney (Duke, '95), who is in his seventh season. Norfolk State is coached by Robert Jones (New Paltz, '02), who is in his 13^th season at the helm.
 
THE SERIES
 
On Jan. 31, the two teams met in D.C., and Howard took an 88-60 win. Junior guard Cedric Taylor III (Atlanta) scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory. The Spartans were paced by Jordan Leaks with 13 points.
 
The Bison last won in Norfolk, 86-84, on January 14, 2023.
 
The two have split the last eight meetings, but the Spartans hold a commanding 31-8 advantage since the 2006 season.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
HOWARD
 
Monday (March 2), the Bison continued its recent dominance with all five starters scoring in double figures as they rolled to a 90-70 win over Coppin State at Burr Gymnasium. Junior guard Cam Gillus (Falls Church, Va.) recorded only the second triple-double in school history with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, along with four steals.
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
The Spartans are coming off a 90-84 road loss at Morgan State Monday (March 2). Norfolk State was led by Anthony McComb III with 23 points.
 
PROBABLE STARTERS/KEY RESERVES
 
HU PROBABLE STARTERS
 
No.      Name                          Class                Position           2025-26 Stats                                    
34        Bryce Harris                Graduate        Guard              17.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg & 48-percent FG%
11        Ose Okojie                  Senior             Guard              10.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg & 57-percent FG%
2          Cam Gillus                  Junior              Guard              9.6 ppg, 4.2 & 144 assists
4          Alex Cotton                 Junior              Guard              8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg & 62 3FGM
12        Cedric Taylor III           Junior              Guard              17.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg & 46-percent FG%
 
HU KEY RESERVES
 
No.      Name                          Class                Position           2025-26 Stats                                    
13        Danas Kazakevicius     Freshman        Center             4.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg & 51-percent FG%
0          Isaiah Brown               R-Freshman    Guard              2.7 ppg & 45 assists
32        Travelle Bryson           Sophomore     Guard              9.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg & 46-percent FG%
 
NORFOLK STATE PROBABLE STARTERS
 
No.      Name                          Class                Position           2025-26 Stats                                    
7          Anthony McCombs III Senior             Guard              17.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg & 40-percent 3FG%
11        Devon Ellis                  Senior             Forward          10.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg & 53-percent FG%
0          Adreon Newton          Freshman        Guard              4.0 ppg
23        Keyonte Lewis             Senior             Forward          5.6 ppg & 3.8 rpg
20        Jordan Leaks               R-Sophomore Guard              5.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg & 34-percent 3FG%
 
NORFOLK STATE KEY RESERVES
 
No.      Name                          Class                Position           2025-26 Stats                                    
21        Jaquel Morris              Senior             Forward          4.7 ppg & 3.5 rpg
3          My'Kel Jenkins            R-Freshman    Guard              5.8 ppg & 3.1 rpg
1          Dion Wright-Forda     Graduate        Guard              5.2 ppg & 42-percent 3FG%
2          Elijah Jamison             Senior             Guard              14.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg & 89 assists
 
GAME NOTES
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison lead the MEAC in scoring offense (76.6 ppg), field goal defense (41-percent), three-point shooting defense (30-percent), offensive rebounding (12.6), rebounding margin, assists/turnover ratio, blocks and assists (16.3)…Individually, the odds-on favorite for MEAC Player of the Year graduate guard Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) leads the conference in both scoring (17.3) and rebounding (6.7)…Gillus is third in both assists and steals and fourth in assists/turnover ratio…Senior guard Ose Okojie (Brampton, Canada) is seventh in steals…Junior guard Alex Cotton (Carrollton, Texas) ranks fourth in three pointers made per game (2.3)…Nationally, Harris is tied for 39^th in free throws made and tied for 41^st in free throw attempts…The New York native is the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, surpassing the 1,400-point mark and closing in on 700 rebounds in his productive career in a Bison uniform…Blakeney has been named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, presented to a coach for his success and leadership…The Bison have won eight straight conference games in impressive fashion, outscoring its opponents by an average of 26.0 points.
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
In the MEAC, Norfolk State leads in field goal shooting (46-percent) and three-point shooting percentage (34-percent)…Individually, McCombs is making a statement for all-conference consideration, ranking third in scoring (17.1) and field goal shooting percentage (42-percent) and seventh in free throw shooting percentage (78-percent)…Elijah Jamison is fifth in scoring (14.3), sixth in free throw shooting percentage (80-percent) and eighth in assist/turnover ratio…Jaquel Morris is eighth in blocks.
 
NEXT UP
 
This completes the regular season. Now, both teams await tomorrow's tournament pairing.  The MEAC Tournament gets underway March 11-14 at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.