Howard Bisons Defeat UMBC Retrievers in NCAA Tournament Opener

Bisons advance to face No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines after historic win over former Cinderella team

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:43am

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In their return to the NCAA Tournament after nearly a decade, the UMBC Retrievers, known for their historic 2018 upset over the University of Virginia, faced off against the Howard University Bisons. Despite UMBC's late push, the Bisons prevailed 73-70 in a close-fought battle, earning their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory and advancing to face the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines.

Why it matters

This game marks a significant milestone for the Howard Bisons, who have long been overshadowed by the success of larger basketball programs. Their victory over UMBC, a team known for its own Cinderella story, showcases the growing parity in college basketball and the ability of smaller programs to compete at the highest level.

The details

The Bisons dominated the first half, outrebounding UMBC 21-14 and scoring 22 points in the paint. Howard's full-court press caused problems for the Retrievers, leading to turnovers and foul trouble. UMBC struggled to find their rhythm early on, but made a late push in the second half to cut the deficit to three points. However, a crucial three-pointer by the Bisons' Ose Okojie, who led all scorers with 23 points, sealed the victory for Howard.

  • The game was played on March 18, 2026, the opening night of the NCAA Tournament.
  • UMBC's last appearance in the NCAA Tournament was nearly a decade ago, when they pulled off a historic upset over the University of Virginia in 2018.

The players

Ose Okojie

The leading scorer for the Howard Bisons, Okojie poured in 23 points to lead his team to victory.

Armstrong

The UMBC Retrievers' leading scorer, Armstrong combined with teammate King to score 36 points in the losing effort.

UMBC Retrievers

The former Cinderella team known for their historic 2018 upset over the University of Virginia, the Retrievers were unable to replicate their magic in this year's tournament.

Howard University Bisons

The Howard Bisons, a smaller program often overshadowed by larger basketball powerhouses, earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with this win over UMBC.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Bisons will now face the No. 1 seeded Michigan Wolverines in the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcases the growing parity in college basketball, as smaller programs like Howard are able to compete with and defeat former Cinderella teams like UMBC. It highlights the potential for upsets and the ability of lesser-known programs to make their mark on the national stage.