Howard overcomes a 12-point deficit in the 2nd half to outlast Morgan State and win the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic on Saturday.
CLEVELAND — The Howard Bison and Morgan State Bears took center stage on Saturday as participants in the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic.
Howard escaped with a 68-66 comeback win over its MEAC rival in what became a thrilling addition to NBA All-Star Weekend.
Kyle Foster, who entered the contest as the NCAA leader in 3-point percentage (50.0%), scored a team-high 18 points. Howard erased a 12-point deficit in the second half and ran off its sixth straight victory.
De’Torrion Ware recorded 19 points and seven rebounds for Morgan State. Seventh Woods, a former viral teenage star and North Carolina product, logged four points, two rebounds and two steals.
The Bison improve to 2-0 against the Bears on the season. Howard defeated Morgan State, 91-82, on Jan. 22.
The event is intended to amplify historically Black colleges and universities during one of the sports world’s biggest weekends. Among the stars in attendance to show their support: Khris Middleton, Collin Sexton, Gary Payton, Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson and Michael Eric Dyson.
Before the game, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry spoke to both teams, while Keke Palmer performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as well as the national anthem.