
North Carolina Central
(+12.5)

Howard
(-12.5)
Highlights
Summary
WASHINGTON (Interstat) â Howard dominated North Carolina Central 100-67 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference menâs basketball game Saturday at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison shot 60.7% from the floor and made 11 3-pointers to overwhelm the Eagles. Travelle Bryson led Howard with 22 points and eight rebounds. Kyric Davis scored 23 points for North Carolina Central. The Bison scored 24 points off turnovers and had 18 fastbreak points, controlling the gameâs tempo throughout. Howard improved to 18-10 overall, while North Carolina Central fell to 10-16.
Extended Summary
WASHINGTON (Interstat) â In a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the Howard Bison delivered a decisive 100-67 victory over the North Carolina Central Eagles in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference menâs basketball game Saturday at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison, improving to 18-10 overall, seized control with a blistering first-half performance and never relented, avenging a loss from earlier in the season and solidifying their position in the conference standings. The Eagles, who had defeated Howard in their previous meeting in January, fell to 10-16. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the latter part of the first half. After North Carolina Centralâs Kelechi Okworogwo converted a layup to bring the Eagles within 22-20 with just over eight minutes remaining, Howard unleashed a game-defining 20-2 run. The surge was fueled by relentless transition play and stifling defense. The Bison generated eight fast-break points during the stretch and forced four Eagle turnovers, converting them into easy scoring opportunities. Travelle Bryson was instrumental in the run, capping it with a 3-pointer off an assist from Bryce Harris to extend Howardâs lead to 42-22. Bryson finished as the gameâs top performer, scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The run effectively put the game out of reach before halftime, with Howard taking a 42-24 lead into the break. Howardâs offensive execution was nearly flawless. The Bison shot 60.7% from the field and an even more impressive 50% from 3-point range, making 11 of 22 attempts. They also dominated inside, outscoring the Eagles 50-42 in the paint and outrebounding them on the offensive glass, 12-9. Cedric Taylor provided a stellar all-around effort for Howard with 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots. Bryce Harris added 17 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Alex Cotton chipped in 12 points, all from beyond the arc. The Bisonâs ball movement was crisp, resulting in a high-percentage shot selection throughout the contest. North Carolina Central struggled to find any consistent rhythm, particularly from the perimeter. The Eagles shot a dismal 13.3% from 3-point range, making only 2 of 15 attempts. They also committed 12 turnovers, which Howard converted into 24 points. Kyric Davis led the Eagles with 23 points, and Kelechi Okworogwo contributed a double-double with 20 points and eight rebounds. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the teamâs collective shooting woes and inability to slow the Howard offensive machine. The Bisonâs defensive intensity, led by Taylorâs four blocks and the teamâs six steals, consistently disrupted North Carolina Centralâs sets. Howard also capitalized on its opportunities in the open floor, finishing with an 18-2 advantage in fast-break points. The victory was a significant bounce-back for Howard following an overtime loss to Yale in its previous game. For North Carolina Central, the loss continued a challenging season that has seen them drop four of their last five contests. Howard will look to maintain its momentum when it travels to face Morgan State next Saturday. North Carolina Central will aim to regroup on the road at Delaware State the same day.
Preview
WASHINGTON (Interstat) â A surging Howard squad will look to solidify its standing and complete a regular-season sweep when it hosts North Carolina Central in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference menâs basketball matchup Saturday at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison (17-10, 7-3 MEAC) enter on a four-game winning streak, most recently routing Delaware State 91-59 on Monday. Howardâs offense has been potent, averaging 84 points during the streak. They are led by guard Cedric Taylor, who is averaging 21.4 points over his last seven games. Taylor scored 17 in the win over Delaware State and had 22 points and six assists in a victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 14. Howard defeated North Carolina Central 83-69 in Durham just over a month ago on Jan. 17. The visiting Eagles (10-15, 5-5) have lost two of their last three, including an 85-72 road loss to South Carolina State on Wednesday. Guard Gage Lattimore has been a consistent bright spot, scoring 16 points in that loss and averaging 18.3 points over his last three contests. He logged 40 minutes and a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in a narrow 58-56 loss to Coppin State on Feb. 14. The matchup pits Howardâs high-scoring attack against an NCCU team that has struggled defensively, allowing 77.6 points per game in conference play. The Eagles will need to find an answer for Taylor and contain a Bison team that shoots 48.5% from the field at home. Howard is 10-2 at Burr Gymnasium this season. A win would keep Howard in contention near the top of the MEAC standings, while the Eagles aim to level their conference record and avenge Januaryâs loss. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.