Howard Shocks UMBC, Texas Survives: First Four Upsets Kick Off March Madness 2026

DAYTON, Ohio – In a game that delivered on the promise of March Madness drama, Howard University secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory on Tuesday night, holding off a determined UMBC squad 86-83 in a First Four matchup at UD Arena. The Bison (24-10), champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, advance to the Midwest Regional and a daunting first-round contest against top-seeded Michigan on Thursday.

A Historic Night for the Bison

The victory marks a watershed moment for Howard, a program with a rich history but previously winless in four NCAA Tournament appearances. “We’ve done a lot of things in our program, but let’s check off the box of winning an NCAA game today,” said Howard coach Kenneth Blakeney, clearly savoring the milestone. The Bison controlled the majority of the contest, building a double-digit lead in the first half and weathering a furious second-half rally from the Retrievers.

Ose Okojie led Howard with a career-high 23 points, showcasing a versatile offensive game. Bryce Harris added 19 points and a dominant 14 rebounds, including a crucial turnaround jumper with just 13 seconds remaining that proved to be the game-winner. Cedric Taylor III contributed 16 points, and Trevelle Bryson chipped in with 11.

A Tight Finish in Dayton

UMBC (24-9) refused to go quietly. After trailing by as many as 13 points, the Retrievers mounted a spirited comeback, fueled by DJ Armstrong Jr.’s clutch three-pointer with 43 seconds left, narrowing the deficit to 83-81. Harris’s subsequent jumper extended the lead to four, but UMBC responded with a quick layup, keeping the game within reach until the final seconds. A missed three-point attempt by Armstrong at the buzzer sealed the Bison’s victory.

“Run, clock, run,” Blakeney revealed, describing his mindset in the tense final moments. “We went from a three-possession game to a two-possession game to a one-possession game.”

Building a Program

Blakeney, who has led Howard to three NCAA Tournament appearances in the last four seasons, emphasized the significance of the win beyond the immediate result. “I want to say Howard was, for like the last 20 years, the 354th-ranked team in the country,” he said. “So for me, that was great due to the fact that there was nothing else to do but go forward and develop this team a better one and this program a better one.”

UMBC’s Rally Falls Short

Jah’likai King paced UMBC with 19 points, while Armstrong and Caden Diggs added 17 and 15 points, respectively. The Retrievers, seeking their first tournament win since their historic upset of Virginia in 2018, struggled to identify consistent offense against Howard’s defensive pressure.

UMBC’s preparation for the game may have been hampered by travel issues. Their flight to Dayton was delayed by more than four hours on Monday due to severe weather, impacting their practice schedule and arrival time. UMBC coach Jim Ferry declined to attribute the loss to the travel disruption, but acknowledged it may have played a role. “I’m not going to blame anything,” Ferry said. “But obviously the day we had…I thought it hurt us. We couldn’t move.”

Looking Ahead to Michigan

Howard now faces a significant challenge in the first round against Michigan, a No. 1 seed that spent time ranked at the top of the AP poll this season. The Bison will need to continue their strong interior play and disciplined defense to have a chance against the Wolverines.

Texas Survives Late Scare

In Tuesday’s other First Four contest, Texas edged N.C. State 68-66 in a nail-biter. Tramon Mark’s fadeaway jumper with 1.1 seconds left proved to be the decisive basket for the Longhorns (19-14). Darrion Williams led N.C. State (20-14) with 21 points, but a late rally fell just short. Texas will face sixth-seeded BYU in the first round of the West Regional.

The Longhorns, like Howard, had to navigate a challenging season to reach the tournament. Texas coach Sean Miller noted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset after a recent losing streak. “When you lose the last couple, what you don’t want is a continuation of holding on to those negative feelings,” Miller said.

First Four Concludes Wednesday

The First Four concludes on Wednesday with Prairie View A&M facing Lehigh and Miami (OH) taking on SMU. These games will determine the final two teams to complete the 64-team bracket and set the stage for the full-fledged start of March Madness.