The Howard Bison celebrate winning 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.
Kyle Foster pulls up and knocks down the clutch go-ahead bucket for @HUMensBB!#NBAHBCUClassic presented by @att
Live Now on TNT & ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cnplIFqyQu
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022
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.
Chris Paul and Stephen Curry met with the Morgan State and Howard University basketball teams ahead of the first #NBAHBCUClassic presented by @ATT! pic.twitter.com/oCuFYcavfp
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022
“I am incredibly grateful to Turner Sports and ESPN, as well as to AT&T and the NBA, for their efforts to make this game happen and for their support of the Howard and Morgan State athletic programs,” said Howard University Director of Athletics Kery Davis. “The historic partnership that has given rise to the NBA HBCU Classic is helping to elevate HBCUs at a critical time for our country. HBCUs and the NBA have a shared legacy of using their platforms to serve their communities and amplify the voices of marginalized people. We appreciate the opportunity to shine a spotlight on HBCUs this year and for our students to share a stage with some of the world’s most talented athletes during NBA All-Star weekend.”
“The NBA HBCU Classic during the celebration of Black History Month highlights the important mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the critical role they play in our country,” said Morgan State Interim Athletic Director Erlease Wagner. “We commend the NBA for their continued commitment and programming to promote HBCUs and showcase the talented young men and women on our campus. Morgan State University and Morgan Athletics thank the NBA, AT&T, ESPN, Turner Sports and other participating partners for providing this one of a kind opportunity for our outstanding Morgan student-athletes.”
