BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 28, 2026)--Morgan State senior Kailyn Nash scored a career- and game-high 26 points and added seven rebounds, two assists and a steal, but it wasn't enough, as the Lady Bears dropped an 84-65 decision to Beltway rival Howard in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at Hill Field House on Saturday afternoon for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day.
 
It was the 10^th consecutive victory for Howard (22-7, 12-1 MEAC) and its eighth straight win over the Lady Bears. Howard, which is a game ahead of Norfolk State in the MEAC standings, clinched at least a share of the regular season title with Saturday's win and can claim the title outright with a victory at Norfolk State next Thursday, March 5 in the regular season finale.
 
Morgan State (4-25, 3-10 MEAC), which fell to seventh place in the league standings, has now lost three straight and eight of its last nine games.
 
Like Thursday night's game against three-time defending champion Norfolk State, the Lady Bears stood toe-to-toe with league-leader Howard, jumping out to an early 13-9 advantage. But the Bison, who have played in the past five MEAC championship games, losing the last three to Norfolk State, showed its resolve and weathered the onslaught. Howard would close out the opening quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 19-18 lead after the first quarter.
 
Both teams began the second quarter fighting to gain control of the lead. Howard opened the quarter with a three-point basket from Destiny Bynum-Johnson, but Morgan rallied and held a 25-24 lead following two free throws from Kailyn Nash with 5:50 to play in the half. However, from that point on Howard would go on a 13-6 run to end the half and take a 37-31 advantage into the locker room.
 
The Lady Bears had some success limiting Howard's offense to just 38% from the field in the first half, but the key difference was turnovers and fouls. Morgan, which had 12 team fouls to Howard's seven, was forced to switch lineups throughout the second half due to foul trouble. Howard also had a respectable advantage in the turnovers category, forcing 8 to just 4 for the Lady Bears.
 
Howard would create distance on the scoreboard in the third quarter with freshmen Ariella Henigan scoring nine of her career-high 21 points in the quarter. The Bison shot 50% (7-of-14) from the field for the quarter while holding Morgan to 26.3% (5-of-19). Howard attempted seven free throws and made six in the frame with the Lady Bears making their only attempt of the quarter.
 
Going into the fourth trailing 59-43, Howard kept its foot on the gas and wouldn't relinquish the lead for the rest of the contest. The Bison finished the game shooting 48% (31-of-65) from the floor, including 32% (7-of-22) from beyond the three-point arc. Howard also connected on 15-of-22 (68%) from the charity stripe.
 
Howard was led by Zennia Thomas, who scored a team-high 22 points and totaled a team-high eight rebounds. Zoe Stewart added 11 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals, while April Edwards came off the bench to score 12 points.
 
Jael Butler dropped 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ja'la Bannerman also finished in double figures tonight, chipping in with 11 points, three assists and two steals.
 
Next Up: Morgan State will close out the 2026 regular season on Thursday, March 5 when it
hosts crosstown rival Coppin State for Senior Night at 5:30 p.m. at Hill Field House. It will be the final home game for nine seniors (Ja'la Bannerman, Jael Butler, Kimora Daly, Mijhae Hayes, Sierra Headquist, Tiyanna James, Gabrielle Johnson, Kailyn Nash and Success Prysock), who will be honored prior to tip-off of the game.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.