In a landmark moment for college basketball, the Howard Bison secured their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a nail-biting 86-83 triumph over the UMBC Retrievers in the First Four on Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio. This historic win propels Howard into the Midwest Region bracket as a No. 16 seed, where they will face top-seeded Michigan on Thursday in Buffalo, New York.
Bryce Harris Delivers in Crunch Time
Bryce Harris emerged as the hero for Howard, delivering a clutch performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds. His turnaround jumper with just 13 seconds remaining proved decisive, extending the Bison's lead and ultimately sealing the victory. Harris's leadership on the court was instrumental in holding off a late surge from UMBC, who had rallied to within two points in the final minute.
Ose Okojie's Career-High Fuels Howard's Offense
Ose Okojie provided a significant offensive boost for the Bison, scoring a career-high 23 points. His contributions were crucial in building a lead that Howard maintained for much of the game. Cedric Taylor III also played a key role, adding 16 points and demonstrating remarkable accuracy at the free-throw line, going 9 of 10 before fouling out in the closing moments.
UMBC's Valiant Comeback Falls Short
The UMBC Retrievers, seeking their first March Madness win since their historic upset of Virginia in 2018, mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. DJ Armstrong Jr. ignited hope with a three-pointer that cut the deficit to 83-81 with 43 seconds left. Jah'Likah King followed with a layup to make it a two-point game, but Howard's defense held firm in the final seconds.
Armstrong's potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer missed its mark, ending UMBC's tournament run. King led the Retrievers with 19 points, while Armstrong contributed 17 and Caden Diggs added 15. Despite the loss, UMBC's performance highlighted their resilience and competitive spirit.
Coach Blakeney's Historic Achievement
This victory marks a significant milestone for Howard coach Kenneth Blakeney, who has guided the historically Black university to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, along with a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. The win not only breaks Howard's 0-4 record in March Madness but also solidifies the program's growing prominence in college basketball.
Texas Edges NC State in Another First Four Classic
In another thrilling First Four matchup, No. 11 seed Texas narrowly defeated No. 11 seed NC State 68-66, thanks to a last-second jumper from Tramon Mark. With 1.1 seconds remaining, Mark hit a fadeaway shot from just inside the three-point line, capping off a dramatic finish that saw Texas survive a late rally from the Wolfpack.
Mark led the Longhorns with 17 points, supported by Matas Vokietaitis with 15 and Dailyn Swain with 13. Chendall Weaver recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Texas, which had lost five of its last six games entering the tournament, now advances to face sixth-seeded BYU on Thursday in Portland, Oregon.
NC State's Late Surge Not Enough
NC State, also struggling with five losses in six games prior to the tournament, mounted a furious comeback in the final minutes. Paul McNeil Jr. hit two three-pointers during a 10-point run that brought the Wolfpack within striking distance. Darrion Williams led the team with 21 points, but their efforts fell short as time expired before they could attempt a final shot.
These First Four games set the stage for an exciting NCAA Tournament, with Howard's historic win and Texas's dramatic victory capturing the attention of basketball fans nationwide. The action continues as teams prepare for the next round of matchups in this year's March Madness.
