NORFOLK, Va. (March 11, 2022) – No. 1 Howard University women’s basketball team reached the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title game for the second straight year after knocking off No. 5 Maryland Eastern Shore, 68-54, in the tourney semifinal round.
With the win, HU (19-9) moved one step closer to earning its first trip to the Big Dance since 2001.
“We knew it was going to be a tough, gritty game,” said Howard women’s basketball head coach Ty Grace postgame. “Coach Fred Batchelor does a great job with his team. But I am proud of my team that we stayed resilient throughout those tough stretches.”
Third-year Bison Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.) led the charge, tying a career-best 21 points and six boards.
“We knew that Eastern Shore was coming into the game hot after their win over Coppin State yesterday,” said Warren. “We had to slow down Zamaya Haynes because she can go off at any time, so playing tough defensive was our main goal entering today.”
Maryland Eastern Shore shot less than 27-percent (19-of-71) from the floor. Haynes led the Hawks with 18 points but shot only 6-of-17 from the floor.
Moments in the game, Eastern Shore (12-16) took the early advantage after a layup from Lesley Thomas, but it was short-lived.
HU controlled the tempo, scoring seven points off turnovers while holding a 10-point lead after one, 18-8.
A few minutes into the second period, sophomore Kaniyah Harris (Capital Heights, Md.) nailed a pair of free throws and ballooned the margin to 16 with more than eight minutes before intermission, 26-10.
The Shore fought back and cut the deficit to eight, thanks to a trey ball from Haynes, 32-24, but Howard closed out the half on a quick 5-1 run and took a double-digit lead at the break, 37-25.
After both clubs scored 14 points in the third, All-MEAC selection sophomore Destiny Howell (Queens, N.Y.) connected on a three-pointer and gave the Bison their largest advantage with 8:41 remaining, 60-41.
The Shore refused to go away, but the Bison would be too much as they advanced to their second consecutive title game.
HU dominated the glass, outrebounding the Hawks, 56-41, led by senior forward Krislyn Marsh with season-best 14 boards.
Junior Brooklynn Fort-Davis (Chicago) flirted with a double-double, producing 10 points and nine rebounds, while All-MEAC First Team selection sophomore Anzhane’ Hutton (Dallas) added 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks in the win.
Howard awaits the winner between No. 2 Norfolk State and No. 3 Morgan State. Saturday’s (March 12) title game tips off at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and will re-air on ESPNU Sunday (March 13) at 8:30 a.m.
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