Columbia, MD - Needing a win in an important conference matchup, the Dragons put forth a valiant effort but ultimately fell short as they lost to Southern Maryland 81-67.

The Hawks jumped out to a hot start in the Dragons Lair, leading 19-4 after six and a half minutes of play before a Cassandra Padellford (Truckee, CA/Truckee) lay up started an 8-0 run for Howard. Sabreen Muslim (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore City College) woke up in the second quarter as the Dragons continued to cut down on the lead with Zulekha Karachiwalla (Marriottsville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) knocking down a mid-range jumper at the end of the first half to make it a 39-32 Hawks lead at the break.

After a stagnant third quarter, the Hawks jumped out early in the fourth quarter and led 61-44 with eight minutes left before Muslim grabbed an offensive board and put it back to start the comeback. Mia McCormick (Philadelphia, PA/River Hill) made an old fashioned three point play a minute later followed by another Muslim layup to cut the deficit to eight points.

With five minutes remaining, Muslim hit a mid-range shot then Padellford stole the ball away and McCormick put in a fast break layup to make it a 64-59 Hawks lead. That would be the closest the Dragons would get to completing the comeback as Muslim fouled out on a charge a minute later and Southern Maryland was able to hold on for the victory.

Muslim dominated once again with 26 points and 18 rebounds along with four blocks while McCormick scored 15. Padellford scored eight for the Dragons, the second highest total for the forward this season.

The Dragons will next travel to Cecil College on Saturday, January 26 at 1 PM.