.@Howard_WBB‘s Ty Grace postgame:
“I got here right here to compete for convention championships & making a run within the NCAA Event. That’s what we discuss. That’s what I inform recruits. That’s what we speak to our gamers about. So the long run I believe is in an amazing place” #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/edZYvsqnDh— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 17, 2022
Howard College Bison ladies’s basketball received their first-ever NCAA event sport Wednesday night time with a 55-51 victory over Incarnate Phrase (13-17). Led by junior ahead Brooklyn Fort-Davis, the Bison fought again from a halftime deficit to get previous the Cardinals late within the fourth quarter.
In her opening assertion to media postgame, HU head coach Ty Grace reiterated her gratitude to the gamers and all the Bison group.
“I’m simply grateful once more for this group of younger ladies that they got here and made historical past tonight,” Grace mentioned. “I’m so very happy with them. I wish to say thanks to the entire Bison group, the entire Bison household, simply all of the help that’s been getting poured out. Simply elated and completely satisfied to have the ability to symbolize this college.”
The Bison trailed for many of the sport however overcame adversity down the stretch, staying on the heels of UIW till the MEAC Event champs prevailed. A key to HU’s success was offensive rebounding. They corralled 22 offensive boards in comparison with simply two by UIW.
“My photographs weren’t falling, so I knew that I needed to carry on capturing them, and I do excel in crashing the boards, so once they didn’t go in, I simply needed to go crash and do what I’m good at,” Brooklyn Fort-Davis mentioned when requested concerning the rebounding edge.
Her teammate Krislyn Marsh concurred.
“Crashing the boards was simply essential as a result of it gave us a second alternative to hit photographs,” Marsh mentioned. “Even when our photographs weren’t falling, we have been in a position to get our personal rebounds, simply hold attempting, hold pushing at them, together with our protection with the ability to lock them down so no less than they weren’t scoring, and as soon as we obtained right into a rhythm, we simply capitalized off of it.”
The sport was tied with 8:04 left within the final interval when Howard (21-9) started an important run that may make them the historic win. With balanced scoring from Fort-Davis, Marsh, Iyanna Warren, and two closing free throws from Kaniyah Harris, Howard catapulted into the spherical of 64 to face the general prime seed South Carolina on Friday.
The sport marked the primary look for the Bison within the Large Dance since 2001. HU’s squad make-up is predominantly first- and second-year college students. For head coach Ty Grace the upcoming seasons look vivid.
“I believe the long run for Howard ladies’s basketball is in nice palms,” Grace mentioned. “I believe we constructed the muse over the previous years that I’ve been right here, and that’s what we deliberate — that’s what I got here right here to do. I got here right here to compete for convention championships and make a run within the NCAA Event. That’s what we discuss, that’s what I inform recruits, that’s what we speak to our gamers about.”
She added: “The long run I believe is in an amazing place, and I hope that the individuals which are nonetheless right here, the gamers which are nonetheless listed here are going to proceed to purchase in, they’re going to proceed to work, and whoever involves observe goes to do the identical factor as a result of that’s going to be the expectation. So, I’m actually enthusiastic about that. I couldn’t ask for the rest from this group of younger ladies.”
Fort-Davis led Howard with 15 factors plus 11 rebounds. Marsh added 14 factors and a whopping 16 rebounds whereas Future Howell scored 11 and pulled down 4 rebounds.
For UIW, Tiana Gardner got here off the bench for 16 factors and 6 rebounds. Jaaucklyn Moore was additionally in double figures with 14 factors puls 5 rebounds.
The competition was additionally UIW’s first time within the event after profitable the Southland Event.
Howard’s subsequent outing is Friday, March 18, vs. South Carolina at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. Fort-Davis gave her tackle dealing with the perfect crew within the nation.
“I’m not scared. It’s simply one other expertise, one other day to play how we play. It’s going to be a tricky one, however we’ve performed powerful video games all season, so we’re prepared.”
