New Rochelle, NY – A thrilling finish to an exciting game saw the Monroe Mustangs score a last second basket to fend off the Howard Dragons 76-74.
Howard jumped out to an early lead in the first half, but a 16-2 run by the Mustangs eliminated the last lead the Dragons would have in the game. Monroe built up a 12 point lead with seven minutes left, but a furious comeback was led by
Daeshawn Eaton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) and
Cole Harshman (Baltimore, MD/Dulaney) in which they combined to score the next 18 points for Howard.
With the Dragons down by three in the final minute, Eaton knocked down a clutch shot from long range to tie the game at 74-74 with eight seconds left. Monroe was able to dribble the ball through the Howard press as the first layup attempt was blocked away by
Koby Baptiste (New Carrollton, MD/Parkdale) only to have the Mustangs be able to tip the ball in the basket at the buzzer to break the hearts of the Howard faithful.
Eaton fell just short of a spectacular triple-double with 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as he went 12-18 from the floor and 4-5 from three point range. Harshman made five from behind the arc on his way to a 17 point night and
DJ Tucker (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) continued his strong weekend with 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Dragons will head back to Bel Air, MD to participate in the Harford Hoops Classic starting with Delaware Tech on Friday, December 17 at 5 PM. The two teams faced each other in the Cecil Mixer back on November 21 in a game where the Dragons emerged victorious 94-89.
