Loch Sheldrake, NY - Howard CC Women's Basketball team took down the Generals of Sullivan Community College in a gritty fight to the finish complete the 2023 SUNY Sullivan Tip-Off Classic 2-0.

The Generals knocked down a couple of early threes in the first quarter to take the lead, but after staying strong and quick on offense Dragon's own Madison Carey (Brandywine, MD/Frederick Douglass) skipped past a number of Sullivan defenders tying things up at 8 with 5 minutes to play left in first quarter. Continuing to press forward dragons played the long game by being resilient on defense and keeping the Generals from shooting beyond the arc and grabbed a couple offensive and defensive boards and lead the Generals 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.

A continuous battle for the lead going into the second quarter and looking to make a comeback, a few whistles called against the Dragons send the Generals to the line and put them back within 4 with 1:39 left to play. But fearless Mikiyah Mallett (Pasadena, MD/Old Mill) drove to the rim and took care of a number scoring opportunities for the Dragons on Sullivan turnovers increasing the lead once more. With Under 30 seconds left to play in the second quarter the Generals found themselves within 3, but the Dragons Lania Nick (Annapolis, MD/Glen Burnie) knocks down a 3 ball for the dragons and lead at the end of the first half 32-26. 

Generals start the game shooting from the arc and sink a 3-point shot to start things up in the second half but Mallett picked things up for the Dragons driving into the paint and drawing the foul to put the bench on their feet and turns the heat up even more sinking a 3-pointer and a layup to separate from the Generals 39-31 with 6:30 left to play in the 3rd quarter. A couple of blocks by the Generals put a stop to the Dragon's offense, and Shanay McFarlane for the Generals to pull ahead with under 2 minutes left to play in the 3rd quarter. But after a number of missed shot attempts and turnovers by the Dragons, McFarlane takes her place beyond the arc once more and makes another big time 3-point shot with putting Sullivan Community College in the lead 47-42.

Kayla Allen (Sykesville, MD/Liberty) with a big 3 point play to start of the 4th quarter bringing the Dragons back within 2 and Mallett continued to drive into the paint and adds a layup to tie things up once more and Carey adds a quick jumper in the paint to pull the Dragons ahead 49-47. Dragons not letting up on offense and Mallett will add 3 more points to the scoreboard putting the Dragons ahead 51-47 with 6:20 left to play. Sullivan Community College brought things within 2 with under 40 seconds left to play, but a shot by Allen and a whistle sends her to the line and put the Dragons ahead by 3. Dragons remain in possession with 15 seconds left to play add 3 more points behind the line and take down the Generals 61-56.
 

• Mallett had an astounding 23 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals
• Carey finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steals
• Nhaikyia Smith (Waldorf, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals
• Sydnei Harmon (Largo, MD/C.H. Flowers) finished with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block
• Allen finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals

Dragons looking to continue turning up the heat as they begin Region 20 play on Wednesday, November 8 as they take on the Nighthawks of Northern Virginia at 5 PM.