Preview: Howard Hosts South Carolina State in MEAC Rematch

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A tight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference race will see a quick rematch Saturday when the Howard Bison host the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Burr Gymnasium.

Howard (14-9, 5-2 MEAC) enters the contest firmly in the conference title chase, while South Carolina State (6-16, 4-3) looks to build on a modest two-game winning streak. The matchup comes just over a month after the Bulldogs edged the Bison 58-57 in Orangeburg on Jan. 3.

The Bison have been led by a dominant stretch from guard Cedric Taylor. He is averaging 21.2 points over his last five games, including a 27-point, 9-rebound performance in a rout of Norfolk State on Jan. 31 and 21 points in Monday’s 72-53 road win at Coppin State. Howard has won four of its last five, with the lone loss a one-point setback to Morgan State.

South Carolina State has found momentum after a difficult non-conference slate. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four MEAC games, including a 63-54 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday. Guard James Morrow has been key, scoring in double figures in three of those four contests, including 14 points in the recent win.

Howard’s offense, averaging 75.2 points per game, will test a Bulldogs defense that allows 77.1. The Bison have been strong at home in conference play, winning their last three at Burr Gymnasium by an average of 21 points.

For South Carolina State, replicating its defensive effort from the first meeting will be essential. The Bulldogs held Howard to a season-low 57 points and 32.8% shooting from the field in the January win.

Saturday’s result will impact the upper half of the MEAC standings. A Howard win would keep pressure on the league leaders, while a South Carolina State victory would solidify the Bulldogs as a surprise contender in the second half of the conference schedule.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Washington. Howard will host Yale in non-conference action on Monday, while South Carolina State’s next game is at home against Morgan State on Feb. 14.