Howard Bison Defeat Norfolk State Spartans 88-60
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Burr Gymnasium
Howard Bison 88, Norfolk State Spartans 60, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Norfolk State Spartans vs Howard Bison?
Howard Bison beat Norfolk State Spartans 88-60 at Burr Gymnasium on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in Norfolk State Spartans vs Howard Bison?
Howard Bison were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -325 (about 76% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Howard Bison triumphed over the Norfolk State Spartans with a final score of 88-60 at Burr Gymnasium. This victory marked a significant win for Howard, improving their home record to 14-9 while Norfolk State fell to 10-15 overall. The Bison's performance was bolstered by a strong offensive display, averaging 63.7 points over their last ten games, while limiting their opponents to an average of 61.3 points.
Howard entered the game with a mixed recent form, holding a record of 5-4-1 in their last ten outings. They had shown resilience, particularly in their last five games, where they averaged 64.4 points scored and only allowed 54.8 points per game. Their recent performances included a notable win against Morehouse Maroon Tigers, where they scored 78 points, and a narrow loss to Morgan State Bears, finishing just one point short at 77-78.
On the other hand, Norfolk State had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games but faced a setback with a loss in their most recent outing against Morgan State, where they lost 78-79. The Spartans had been averaging 75.5 points scored and 72.8 points allowed during this stretch. Their last five games reflected a higher scoring average of 85.2 points, albeit with a defensive average of 74.4 points allowed, indicating a trend of high-scoring affairs.
The Bison had a home record of 2-1 in their last three games, while Norfolk State's away record stood at 3-2. Historically, Howard had struggled against Norfolk State, with a head-to-head record of 0-2 in their previous meetings during the 2025 season. In those encounters, Howard lost 69-81 at home and 75-92 away, highlighting the significance of this victory as they turned the tide in their favor.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams would have been keen to field their strongest lineups to secure a win. The market had Howard favored, with DraftKings setting the spread at -7.5 in favor of the Bison, reflecting their home advantage and recent form. The total points line was set at 146.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring game.
Conditions during the game were not detailed, but Burr Gymnasium is known for its energetic atmosphere, which likely contributed to the Bison's performance. Fans witnessed a variety of scoring plays, including free throws and layups, showcasing Howard's ability to capitalize on opportunities and maintain offensive pressure throughout the game.
As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to key moments, such as Anthony McComb III's contributions from the free-throw line and layups from players like Bryce Harris and Julian Johnson, which helped solidify Howard's lead. The Bison's ability to execute plays effectively and their defensive strategies ultimately led to a comprehensive victory, demonstrating their growth as a team and setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOW -7.5 | 146.5 o -110 / u -110 | Norfolk State Spartans +260 · Howard Bison -325 |
Leaders
- PointsCedric Taylor III27Howard Bison
- AssistsCam Gillus5Howard Bison
- ReboundsCedric Taylor III9Howard Bison
- PointsJordan Leaks13Norfolk State Spartans
- AssistsJordan Leaks2Norfolk State Spartans
- ReboundsElijah Jamison5Norfolk State Spartans
Recent form
Howard Bison
Last 10: 5-4-1Streak D163.7 scored · 61.3 allowed per game2-1 at home
- D0-0at Coppin State EaglesJan 27
- L77-78vs Morgan State BearsJan 24
- W78-69vs Morehouse Maroon TigersJan 19
- W83-69at North Carolina Central EaglesJan 17
- W84-58vs Delaware State HornetsJan 13
- L57-69at Maryland Eastern Shore HawksJan 10
- L57-58at South Carolina State BulldogsJan 3
- L60-80at Northwestern WildcatsDec 30
- W67-66at UNC Wilmington SeahawksDec 20
- W74-66at Drexel DragonsDec 16
Norfolk State Spartans
Last 10: 5-5Streak L175.5 scored · 72.8 allowed per game3-2 away
- L78-79vs Morgan State BearsJan 27
- W103-76vs Coppin State EaglesJan 24
- W86-61vs Elizabeth City State VikingsJan 20
- W89-82at South Carolina State BulldogsJan 17
- L70-74vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksJan 13
- W66-64at Delaware State HornetsJan 10
- L67-69at North Carolina Central EaglesJan 3
- L54-63at Louisiana Ragin' CajunsDec 28
- L70-89vs UC Irvine AnteatersDec 23
- W72-71at UTEP MinersDec 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 24-11 | - | 11-3 |
| Morgan State | 14-16 | 1 | 10-4 |
| Norfolk State | 15-17 | 3 | 8-6 |
| North Carolina Central | 14-18 | 3 | 8-6 |
| South Carolina State | 10-22 | 4 | 7-7 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore | 9-23 | 6 | 5-9 |
| Coppin State | 7-24 | 6 | 5-9 |
| Delaware State | 8-23 | 9 | 2-12 |
Box score
| Stat | Norfolk State Spartans | Howard Bison |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 19-55 | 27-50 |
| Field goal % | 35 | 54 |
| Three-pointers | 6-16 | 9-19 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 47 |
| Free throws | 16-22 | 25-29 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 86 |
| Rebounds | 18 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 9 | 29 |
| Assists | 9 | 19 |
| Steals | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 6 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 19 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 18 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 36 |
| Fouls | 21 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 32 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half35-49Devon Ellis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half35-51Cedric Taylor III makes driving layup (Bryce Harris assists)
- 2nd Half36-51Anthony McComb III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-51Anthony McComb III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-54Bryce Harris makes 26-foot three point jumper (Danas Kazakevicius assists)
- 2nd Half37-56Bryce Harris makes layup (Isaiah Brown assists)
- 2nd Half37-58Cedric Taylor III makes driving layup
- 2nd Half37-59Cedric Taylor III makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half37-62Isaiah Brown makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cam Gillus assists)
- 2nd Half39-62Jordan Leaks makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half39-63Bryce Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-64Bryce Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-64Jordan Leaks makes layup
- 2nd Half43-64Dian Wright-Forde makes layup (Jordan Leaks assists)
- 2nd Half46-64Elijah Jamison makes 23-foot three point jumper (Anthony McComb III assists)
- 2nd Half46-66Cedric Taylor III makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half49-66Devon Ellis makes 25-foot three point jumper (Anthony McComb III assists)
- 2nd Half49-67Cam Gillus makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-68Cam Gillus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-70Cedric Taylor III makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half49-72Cedric Taylor III makes layup
- 2nd Half49-75Alex Cotton makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cam Gillus assists)
- 2nd Half50-75Devon Ellis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-77Cedric Taylor III makes 2-foot dunk (Bryce Harris assists)
- 2nd Half51-77Keyontae Lewis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-78Bryce Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-79Bryce Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-81Bryce Harris makes 2-foot dunk (Isaiah Brown assists)
- 2nd Half51-82Alex Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-83Alex Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-83Anthony McComb III makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half53-83Anthony McComb III makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half54-83Anthony McComb III makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half56-83Anthony McComb III makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half56-85Bryce Harris makes 4-foot dunk (Danas Kazakevicius assists)
- 2nd Half56-87Julian Johnson makes layup (Jeremiah Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half57-87Mykel Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-88Stefan Isailovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-88Jordan Leaks makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half60-88Mekhi Reid makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Howard Bison, below favours Norfolk State Spartans.
Venue
- Burr GymnasiumWashington, DC
- Attendance1848
- OfficialsKeith Bennett, Kendell Ridley, Jordan Conley
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