Loch Sheldrake, NY - John Thomas (Baltimore, MD/Patterson) led a huge second half for the #12 nationally ranked Howard Dragons as they defeated the Monroe CC Tribunes 76-71 in the season opener.

A sluggish first half for the Dragons saw them trailing the Tribunes 38-30 as Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) was able to drive to the basket over and again with 12 first half points.

Needing a spark, it was Thomas who came through with 18 second half points on his was to a game high 23 points along with a trio of steals. Andrew Mills (Owings Mills, MD/New Town) had a big impact in the second half comeback as well with 13 of his 16 points coming in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Henriques finished with a team high eight rebounds and three assists to go along with 21 points off the bench. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) added six points while O'Meech Wilson (Glen Burnie, MD/North County) and Shane Taylor (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) scored four points and four rebounds each.

The Dragons will complete their weekend invitational trip as they face off with hosts Sullivan County on Sunday, November 5 at 5 PM. The Sullivan County Generals are the #7 ranked team in the NJCAA Division 2 preseason polls and go into the game 1-0 after an overtime victory over Montgomery College.