Howard gets its first March Madness win, holding off UMBC, 86-83, in the First Four | Jeff Wallner

Howard men's basketball earned the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history by beating UMBC, 86-83, in the First Four on Tuesday night.

Read more: https://t.co/elCHpUcvmr

📸: AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar pic.twitter.com/ii9vui3PHY

— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) March 18, 2026

Ose Okojie had a BIG NIGHT to help @HUMensBB win their FIRST EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME!!!!! pic.twitter.com/3TIfoBB7CO

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 18, 2026

Howard HC Kenneth Blakeney spoke to @JennyDell_ after leading his Bison to the W 👇 pic.twitter.com/aOKXPlt8QF

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 18, 2026

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Howard HC Kenny Blakeney while covering this team is how he uses basketball as a microcosm for the bigger picture of his players.

He says he hopes he’s set his guys up for the future through this sport they all love so much. pic.twitter.com/3U7uSs2j06

— Melissa Y. Kim (@melissaykim) March 18, 2026

It is a great day to be a Bison. Congratulations, @HUMensBB. Keep dancing! https://t.co/tyw3ZW9fEo

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 18, 2026

“A full circle moment” for Howard Grad Student Bryce Harris. He was out for the season last year after he broke his foot against UMBC last year.

He described the team’s mantra coming into this game:

Be who we are. pic.twitter.com/wBlLnxyQNr

— Melissa Y. Kim (@melissaykim) March 18, 2026