Howard Bison Make History with First NCAA Tournament Victory in Nail-Biting First Four Clash
In a landmark moment for the program, the Howard Bison secured their first ever NCAA Tournament victory on Tuesday night, edging out the UMBC Retrievers 86-83 in a heart-stopping First Four matchup in Dayton, Ohio. This historic win marks a significant milestone for Howard, one of the nation's premier historically Black universities, which had previously held an 0-4 record in March Madness appearances.
Bryce Harris Delivers Clutch Performance to Seal the Deal
Bryce Harris emerged as the hero for the Bison, delivering a stellar performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds. His crucial turnaround jumper with just 13 seconds remaining on the shot clock extended Howard's lead to four points, ultimately proving decisive in the final moments. Harris's leadership on the court was instrumental in guiding the team to this unprecedented achievement.
Ose Okojie also shone brightly, scoring a career-high 23 points to lead the Bison's offensive charge. The team's collective effort was evident as they battled fiercely against a resilient UMBC squad that refused to go down without a fight.
UMBC's Late Rally Falls Just Short in Tense Finish
The Retrievers mounted a spirited comeback in the closing minutes, with DJ Armstrong Jr. sinking a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 83-81 with 43 seconds left. Following Harris's clutch jumper, Jah'Likah King responded with a layup to bring UMBC within two points at 85-83.
However, Isaiah Brown's successful free throw and Armstrong's missed three-point attempt at the buzzer sealed Howard's victory. This loss ends UMBC's quest for their first March Madness win since their legendary upset of top-seeded Virginia in 2018, a game that made them the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed.
King led the Retrievers with 19 points, supported by Armstrong's 17 and Caden Diggs' 15. Despite their valiant effort, the suburban Baltimore school, located just 31 miles north of Howard's Washington campus, fell short in their return to the NCAA Tournament after a six-year absence.
Howard Advances to Face Top-Seeded Michigan
With this historic win, the Bison (24-10) now advance to the Midwest Region bracket as the No. 16 seed. They are set to face the formidable top-seeded Michigan on Thursday in Buffalo, New York, presenting another challenging opportunity on the national stage.
Coach Kenneth Blakeney, who has guided Howard to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, expressed immense pride in his team's resilience and determination. This victory not only breaks a longstanding tournament drought but also solidifies Howard's growing reputation in college basketball.
Texas Longhorns Survive Late Scare with Buzzer-Beater Victory
In another thrilling First Four contest, the Texas Longhorns narrowly escaped with a 68-66 victory over NC State, thanks to Tramon Mark's dramatic fadeaway jumper with just 1.1 seconds remaining. Mark's clutch shot from inside the three-point line capped off a tense finish that saw the Longhorns nearly squander a late lead.
Texas (19-14) had built a 62-53 advantage with under three minutes left, but NC State (20-14) erupted for 10 points in a rapid 1:12 span to tie the game at 66-all. Mark's game-winner ensured the Longhorns' advancement as the No. 11 seed in the West Region, where they will face sixth-seeded BYU on Thursday in Portland, Oregon.
Mark led Texas with 17 points, while Matas Vokietaitis contributed 15 and Dailyn Swain added 13. Chendall Weaver recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing the team's balanced offensive effort.
For NC State, Darrion Williams paced the scoring with 21 points, supported by Quadir Copeland's 16 and Paul McNeil Jr.'s 11. Despite their late surge, the Wolfpack couldn't overcome Mark's heroics, ending their tournament run prematurely.
These exhilarating First Four matchups set the stage for an unpredictable and action-packed NCAA Tournament, highlighting the drama and excitement that define March Madness. As Howard celebrates its historic breakthrough and Texas advances on a buzzer-beater, fans can anticipate more thrilling contests in the days ahead.
