Batavia, NY –
Naquan Williams-Day (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) scored a career high 30 points as one of five Dragons to score in double figures, but ultimately fell to the Genesee Cougars by the score of 90-87 for Howard's first loss of the year.
For the second consecutive day, the Dragons offense got out to a slow start as Howard never enjoyed a lead in the opening half and trailed by as much as nine late in the first half.
Daeshawn Eaton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) came out aggressively with a couple early layups on his way to 12 points, but also picked up two early fouls sending him to the bench.
Once again it was Williams-Day who led the charge back as he started it with an old-fashioned three point play.
Kelvin Sellman (Temple Hills, MD/Crossland) made a mid-range jump shot as part of his 14 point day and
Deven Richmond (Bowie, MD/DeMatha) hit a corner three-pointer. Williams-Day posted up and nailed a jumper to complete a 9-0 run for Howard to close out the first half and make it a 39-39 tied game after 20 minutes of play.
It took 23 minutes of play before the Dragons finally enjoyed their first lead as
Cole Harshman (Baltimore, MD/Dulaney) knocked down a three-pointer to put Howard up 44-43.
Michael Gray (Glendale, MD/Bowie) and Harshman made back-to-back layups five minutes into the second period and Howard led 49-49 after the two teams had been exchanging leads back and forth. That would be the last lead for the Dragons as Genesee went on a 14-2 run over a seven minute scoring drought for Howard.
The Dragons started to crawl back into the game as Williams-Day hit a long range three to make it a three point deficit with six minutes left.
Kelvin Sellman (Temple Hills, MD/Crossland) made a four-point play to keep Howard's hopes alive, but the Cougars made their free throws when they needed to and despite late three-pointers by Williams-Day, Harshman, and Gray, the comeback attempt was too little too late.
Howard will begin their Md Juco conference schedule on Wednesday, November 20 as they travel to Anne Arundel at 7 PM.
