Five-time NBA champion Magic Johnson congratulated Howard University after they won their first game in the NCAA Tournament. They defeated UMBC 86-83 in the 2026 NCAA Tournament First Four. They have previously played four games in the NCAA Tournament, but they couldn’t win. So on Monday, they made history.
Johnson took to social media and congratulated the program and the administration as their hard work is starting to pay off. Johnson is actually friends with athletic director Kery Davis.
“I want to congratulate Howard University on winning their first ever NCAA tournament game, defeating UMBC 86-83 and advancing to play Michigan! Great job Bison players, Coach Kenneth Blakeney and my long time friend – Athletic Director Kery Davis!” Johnson wrote.
Howard was up 49-41 at halftime and the lead stretched to double digits in the second half. UMBC mounted a comeback and cut the lead to one possession late. They had a chance to tie, but missed a potential game-tying three at the buzzer.
Ose Okojie led the scoring with 23 points. Moreover, Bryce Harris delivered a huge all-around game, scoring 19 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and also special mention to his clutch go-ahead jumper in the final seconds.
Howard HC Makes Feelings Known After NCAA Tournament Win
Howard Bison men’s basketball program head coach Kenny Blakeney made it clear what the moment meant. He said the program has been chasing such a win for years.
“We’ve done a lot of things in our program, but let’s check off the box of winning an NCAA game today,” Blakeney said.
The head coach also revealed that he told his players before the game the importance to win on Monday.
Things got closer in the final moments, and Blakeney shared what it was like to experience it all from the sidelines.
“Run, clock, run,” Blakeney said. “We went from, I want to say, a three-possession game to a two-possession game to a one-possession game.”
Blakeney has been with Howard since 2019, turning the program into a MEAC champion and a consistent NCAA Tournament team. On Monday, they managed to get past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but their path is only going to get tougher.
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