Howard's Cedric Taylor III stole the show at Burr Gymnasium, scoring 27 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the Bison to a resounding 88-60 victory over Norfolk State. The win marked a significant margin of victory, far exceeding the 6.6 points by which CHD Scout predicted Howard would win. In fact, the Bison's 28-point margin of victory was more than four times the predicted difference, a reflection of their dominant performance.
The game got off to a strong start for Howard, with the Bison taking a 42-28 lead into halftime. Cedric Taylor III was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 15 points and pulling down 5 rebounds to set the tone for the rest of the game. His teammate, Bryce Harris, was equally impressive, adding 14 points and 5 rebounds of his own. Norfolk State's Jordan Leaks tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 8 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to slow down the Bison's offense.
In the second half, Howard continued to pull away, outscoring Norfolk State 46-32. The Bison's offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Taylor and Harris leading the charge. Cam Gillus also made significant contributions, scoring 9 points and dishing out 5 assists to help his team maintain a comfortable lead. For Norfolk State, Anthony McComb III and Elijah Jamison tried to mount a comeback, but their efforts were ultimately futile.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The 28-point margin of victory was a significant statement for Howard, who improved to 13-9 on the season. The win was also a reflection of the Bison's depth and talent, as they were able to dominate a Norfolk State team that had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the season. CHD Scout's prediction of a 6.6-point Howard victory was accurate, but the actual margin of victory was far more convincing.
As for the tournament implications, this win will likely have a minimal impact on Howard's resume, as it was a Quadrant 4 game. However, the convincing nature of the victory will certainly help to boost the Bison's confidence and momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. For Norfolk State, the loss drops them to 10-14 and will likely hurt their already slim tournament chances. The Spartans must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
Ultimately, this game will be remembered for Cedric Taylor III's dominant performance, as well as Howard's impressive team effort. The Bison's ability to exceed expectations and dominate a Quadrant 4 opponent will be a significant boost to their resume, even if it doesn't significantly impact their tournament chances. As the season enters its final stretch, Howard want to build on this momentum and make a push for a strong finish.