Howard Bison Edge UMBC Retrievers in Thrilling Finish
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 6:40 PM ET · UD Arena
Howard Bison 86, UMBC Retrievers 83, 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 UMBC Retrievers vs Howard Bison?
Howard Bison beat UMBC Retrievers 86-83 at UD Arena on March 17, 2026.
Who was favored in UMBC Retrievers vs Howard Bison?
Howard Bison were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -112 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Howard Bison triumphed over the UMBC Retrievers with a final score of 86-83. This game was significant as both teams entered with impressive records, Howard boasting a home record of 24-10 and UMBC at 24-9 overall. The game took place at UD Arena, where the atmosphere was electric, reflecting the high stakes of the encounter.
Howard came into the game riding an impressive wave of form, having won eight consecutive games leading up to this matchup. In their last ten games, they recorded a 9-1 record, with an average of 84.2 points scored per game while allowing 65.2 points. Their recent form included victories over teams like North Carolina Central Eagles and South Carolina State Bulldogs, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive capabilities. At home, they had a record of 6-1, further emphasizing their strength on familiar ground.
On the other side, UMBC was equally formidable, entering the game on a ten-game winning streak with a perfect 10-0 record in their last ten outings. They averaged 79.8 points scored while allowing 61.6 points during this stretch. Their recent victories included a solid win against the Vermont Catamounts, indicating their ability to perform under pressure. UMBC's away record stood at 4-0, demonstrating their capability to compete effectively outside their home venue.
The previous meeting between these two teams occurred on November 25, 2024, where Howard fell to UMBC with a score of 77-95. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as Howard sought to avenge their earlier defeat.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the absence of key players can often influence the dynamics of such high-stakes games. However, both teams appeared to field their strongest lineups for this encounter.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Howard as a slight favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total points line was set at 143.5, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring game. Howard’s moneyline was priced at -112, while UMBC’s was at -108, indicating a closely matched contest.
As the game progressed, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth battle. Howard maintained a slim lead throughout, but UMBC consistently challenged, making it a nail-biting finish. Key scoring plays in the second half included free throws by DJ Armstrong Jr. and Caden Diggs, which kept UMBC within striking distance. However, crucial baskets from Howard, including a turnaround jump shot by Bryce Harris and a driving layup from Jah'Likai King, ensured they held onto their lead.
The final moments of the game were tense, with UMBC making a valiant effort to close the gap, but Howard's defense held firm, securing their victory. With this win, Howard improved their record against UMBC to 1-1 in their head-to-head meetings.
Overall, the game showcased the skill and determination of both teams, with Howard's recent form and home advantage ultimately proving decisive in this thrilling encounter.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOW -1.5 | 143.5 o -110 / u -110 | UMBC Retrievers -108 · Howard Bison -112 |
Leaders
- PointsOse Okojie23Howard Bison
- AssistsCam Gillus7Howard Bison
- ReboundsBryce Harris14Howard Bison
- PointsJah'Likai King19UMBC Retrievers
- AssistsJose Roberto Tanchyn3UMBC Retrievers
- ReboundsCaden Diggs8UMBC Retrievers
Recent form
Howard Bison
Last 10: 9-1Streak W884.2 scored · 65.2 allowed per game6-1 at home
- W70-63vs North Carolina Central EaglesMar 14
- W78-61vs South Carolina State BulldogsMar 13
- W84-76at Norfolk State SpartansMar 6
- W90-70vs Coppin State EaglesMar 3
- W84-59at Morgan State BearsFeb 28
- W100-67vs North Carolina Central EaglesFeb 21
- W91-59at Delaware State HornetsFeb 17
- W79-53vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksFeb 14
- L81-87vs Yale BulldogsFeb 10
- W85-57vs South Carolina State BulldogsFeb 7
UMBC Retrievers
Last 10: 10-0Streak W1079.8 scored · 61.6 allowed per game4-0 away
- W74-59vs Vermont CatamountsMar 14
- W91-69vs UMass Lowell River HawksMar 10
- W84-69vs New Hampshire WildcatsMar 7
- W91-52at NJIT HighlandersMar 3
- W84-60at UMass Lowell River HawksFeb 28
- W70-58vs Bryant BulldogsFeb 26
- W66-62vs UAlbany Great DanesFeb 21
- W75-62vs Vermont CatamountsFeb 19
- W85-63at New Hampshire WildcatsFeb 14
- W78-62at Maine Black BearsFeb 12
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBC | 24-9 | - | 14-2 |
| Vermont | 22-12 | 2 | 12-4 |
| NJIT | 16-17 | 4 | 10-6 |
| UMass Lowell | 15-18 | 5 | 9-7 |
| UAlbany | 11-21 | 7 | 7-9 |
| Maine | 8-24 | 8 | 6-10 |
| New Hampshire | 9-21 | 9 | 5-11 |
| Bryant | 9-22 | 9 | 5-11 |
| Binghamton | 8-23 | 10 | 4-12 |
| 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 | UMBC Retrievers | Howard Bison |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-56 | 29-61 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 9-22 | 10-21 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 48 |
| Free throws | 16-24 | 18-25 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 72 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 26 |
| Assists | 11 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 34 |
| Fouls | 20 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 14 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 3 | 93 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half43-54Bryce Harris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half45-54Jose Roberto Tanchyn makes layup
- 2nd Half45-55Cedric Taylor III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-56Cedric Taylor III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-56Jah'Likai King makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half48-58Cam Gillus makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-61Bryce Harris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cam Gillus assists)
- 2nd Half51-61DJ Armstrong Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jah'Likai King assists)
- 2nd Half51-63Bryce Harris makes layup
- 2nd Half52-63Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-66Alex Cotton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Bryce Harris assists)
- 2nd Half53-66Jah'Likai King makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-66Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-66Caden Diggs makes layup
- 2nd Half58-66Caden Diggs makes 2-foot jumper (Cougar Downing assists)
- 2nd Half58-69Alex Cotton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cam Gillus assists)
- 2nd Half60-69Cougar Downing makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half62-69Caden Diggs makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half63-69Caden Diggs makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-72Bryce Harris makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cam Gillus assists)
- 2nd Half65-72Jose Roberto Tanchyn makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half67-72Caden Diggs makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half67-74Ose Okojie makes layup
- 2nd Half67-77Cedric Taylor III makes 25-foot three point jumper (Bryce Harris assists)
- 2nd Half67-78Cedric Taylor III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-79Cedric Taylor III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-79Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-79Ace Valentine makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-79Ace Valentine makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half72-81Cam Gillus makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half72-83Ose Okojie makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half74-83Caden Diggs makes layup
- 2nd Half75-83DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-83DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-83Caden Diggs makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-83Caden Diggs makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-83DJ Armstrong Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half81-85Bryce Harris makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half83-85Jah'Likai King makes driving layup
- 2nd Half83-86Isaiah Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Howard Bison, below favours UMBC Retrievers.
Venue
- UD ArenaDayton, OH
- Attendance11756
- OfficialsEvon Burroughs, Josue Nieves, Michael Kitts
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