Sanborn, NY – For the second straight game, the Dragons were unable to hold onto a halftime lead as they fell to the Erie Community College Kats 79-74, falling to 4-2 on the year.
 
The Dragons struggled shooting from the field, being held to just 15 points scoring in the first 15 minutes of the half. David Garey (Gaithersburg, MD/Hargrave Military) finally hit a corner three to get a boost for Howard which was followed by a tough tip in by Koby Baptiste (New Carrollton, MD/Parkdale) and a steal by Ardie Dorsey III (Capitol Heights, MD/Largo) to set up a Garey fast break layup forcing Erie into a timeout.
 
Howard closed out the first half on a great run as layups by Dorsey and Hollique Johnson (Millersville, MD/Old Mill) was followed up with a steal and fast break three pointer by Omar McGann (Waldorf, MD/St. Charles) as the Dragons went into halftime with a 31-27 lead.
 
With eight minutes left in the second half and the Kats closing the Dragons lead to three, Joel Webb (Forrestville, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) sliced through the paint for a basket and the foul to double the Howard advantage. Erie continued to work their way back and were able to take the lead at 69-68 with two and a half minutes left on a hoop and harm.
 
Webb fought his way into inside position and was able to tip in an offensive rebound to give Howard the lead back. After an Erie free throw to tie the game, Eaton dished it off to Webb for a huge slam dunk to regain the lead. The Kats came right back with three straight baskets to take a 76-72 lead with under a minute remaining and were able to make enough free throws to hold on for a 79-74 win.
 
Howard will continue their string of tough invitational tournaments as they take on powerhouse Harcum College on Saturday, November 20 at 1 PM in the Cecil College Mixer.