Howard claims MEAC women's basketball title

Bison defeat Norfolk State 53-46 in championship game

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:08pm

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The Howard University women's basketball team defeated Norfolk State 53-46 on Saturday to claim the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament championship. This was Howard's first MEAC title since 2022, ending Norfolk State's three-year reign as champions. Zennia Thomas scored 15 points and Nile Miller had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bison to victory.

Why it matters

The MEAC is one of the premier women's basketball conferences in the country, and the championship game is always a highly anticipated matchup. Howard and Norfolk State have dominated the conference in recent years, making this a significant win for the Bison program.

The details

Howard and Norfolk State have met in the MEAC championship game in each of the last five seasons, with Norfolk State winning the previous three titles. This year, Howard built a 42-33 lead through three quarters and held on for the 53-46 victory. Ariella Henigan's mid-range jumper gave the Bison a 51-45 lead late in the fourth quarter, and they made their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

  • The MEAC championship game was played on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • Howard claimed its first MEAC title since 2022.

The players

Zennia Thomas

A key player for the Howard Bison, scoring 15 points in the championship game.

Nile Miller

Recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Bison.

Ariella Henigan

Hit a crucial mid-range jumper late in the fourth quarter to give Howard a 51-45 lead.

Jasha Clinton

Scored 11 points for the Norfolk State Spartans in the losing effort.

Anjanae Richardson

Added 10 points for the Norfolk State Spartans.

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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 (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced on Sunday.

The takeaway

This victory for Howard marks the end of Norfolk State's three-year reign as MEAC champions, showcasing the Bison's dominance in the conference and setting the stage for their appearance in the NCAA Tournament.