NORFOLK, Va. – A pair of go-ahead free throws in the final seconds of regulation gave Howard a 65-64 win over Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament championship game on Saturday afternoon.
 
Dana Tate Jr. led the Spartans (22-11, 9-5 MEAC) with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Joe Bryant Jr. scored all 18 of his points in the second half. Bryant also shined defensively, racking up five steals.
 
Tate started the championship unconscious from deep. The redshirt senior knocked down three triples in the game's first ten minutes, scoring 11 of the Spartans' first 16 points.
 
Jack Doumbia continued to serve as the Spartans' postseason spark plug off the bench, earning an inside bucket immediately upon checking into the game. He then combined for a rejection with Chris Ford on the defensive end, before driving for another basket moments later.
 
Tate added two more baskets, both on mid-range jumpers, ending the first half with 15 points. The scoring all came from made field goals, making no trips to the free throw line.
 
Howard knocked down multiple three-pointers late, ending the first half on a 9-0 run to take a 33-27 advantage into the break.
 
Bryant got the Spartans going in the second half with three quick points, but Howard converted a pair of flagrant foul free throws to slow the momentum.
 
The battle continued neck-and-neck, with the Spartans regaining a few small leads, but struggling to go ahead by multiple possessions.
 
But Bryant couldn't be stopped. While the jump shot wasn't falling, he continued to power his way to the rim, finishing through contact or converting at the free throw line. A spectacular and-one on a fast break swung the advantage in the Spartans favor with under six minutes remaining, one of 15 lead changes on Saturday.
 
As the pressure increased, NSU's players rose to the occasion. With under a minute to play, Spartans forward Terrance Jones knocked down a pair of free throws to break the tie, and Bryant knocked down two more moments later.
 
But Howard guard Marcus Dockery drained a contested 3-pointer to cut the lead to one, before the Bison came up with a steal on the next play. Bison forward Jelani Williams got to the line on the ensuing possession, making the game-winning free throws with five seconds to play.
 
Bryant and Kris Bankston were both named to the MEAC All-Tournament Team, Bryant's third consecutive year earning the recognition.