image via David Sirrra
Courtesy of Kyon Lewis, Director of Strategic Communications Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Senior forward Zennia Thomas (Cleveland) scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Howard University women’s basketball team to a dominant 75–43 victory over South Carolina State in the quarterfinal round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament at Norfolk Scope Arena.
The Bison (24–7), the No. 1 seed and MEAC Regular Season Champions, advance to Friday’s semifinal round, where they will face the winner of the Coppin State–North Carolina Central quarterfinal matchup on March 13 at noon.
Howard set the tone early, jumping out to an 8–0 lead and building a 21–9 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Freshman guard Ariella Henigan (Chicago), the MEAC Rookie of the Year, sparked the fast start by scoring six points in the game’s opening two minutes.
From there, the Bison leaned on their depth, expanding the lead to 38–15 at halftime while liberally rotating players off their bench.
In total, 11 different Howard players scored, highlighting the team’s balanced attack. Thomas, the MEAC Player of the Year and the conference’s leading scorer and rebounder, shot 8-of-16 from the field and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
The scoring was spread throughout the lineup, with redshirt junior guard Zoe Stewart (Terre Haute, Ind.) and junior forward Sa’lah Hemingway (San Bernardino, Calif.) each adding nine points. Junior guard Destiny Bynum-Johnson (Newark, N.J.) chipped in eight points off the bench.
Howard’s reserves played a major role once again, outscoring South Carolina State’s bench 31–9. The Bison also dominated on the boards, finishing with a 54–32 rebounding advantage.
“We are confident in our bench,” said head coach Ty Grace, the MEAC Coach of the Year. “This is what we have done all season. The reserves are very comfortable when they come into the game.”
The Bulldogs (5–24), the No. 8 seed , were limited to just eight available players due to injuries, including three starters. Shaunice Reed led South Carolina State with 15 points and six rebounds in the loss.
Howard will return to the court in the MEAC Tournament Semifinals on Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m., where the Bison will face the winner of the No. 4 Coppin State vs. No. 5 North Carolina Central quarterfinal matchup. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
