Annandale, VA - Dragons bring the heat to Northern Virginia, defeating Nighthawks 68-40.

Dragons missing leading scorer Mikiyah Mallett (Pasadena, MD/Old Mill) during their matchup in Annandale, VA against the Nighthawks of Northern Virginia, but that didn't stop them from turning up the heat. A bit of a slow start on both sides, but the Dragons gained an early lead in the first quarter after Kayla Allen (Sykesville, MD/Liberty) knocks down a 3-point shot putting the Dragons up 8-0 against the nighthawks. Dragons continued to hammer down on NOVA, with yet another 3-pointer made by Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) that put the Dragons up 13-0 with a little over 3 minutes left in the 1st Quarter. A jumper by the Nighthawks finally breaks Howard's 13-0 scoring run. Northern Virginia added a few more points to their score before time ran out, and the first quarter ends with the Dragons up 15-8.

Nighthawks opened up the second quarter first bringing their score to 10 and Howard still with 15. Howard, however, able to add to their score on a fast break with a layup by Sydnei Harmon (Largo, MD/C.H. Flowers). Nighthawks and Dragons battling back and forth in the Second half for possession, and a big break comes for the Nighthawks after a 7 point scoring run brings them back within 5. With 40 seconds left on the clock, Nhaikyia Smith (Waldorf, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) barrels her way into the paint for a layup that puts Howard's score at 30 going into halftime. Nighthawks add 4 more points to the board putting their halftime score at 24.

Dragons open up scoring first with Harmon and Smith easily driving to the basket, and putting the Dragons up 36-24 over NOVA. Dragons outscored the Nighthawks 18-4 in the third quarter. A number of fouls sent Smith to the line four separate times in the 3rd quarter where she shot 85%. Madison Carey (Brandywine, MD/Frederick Douglass) also got involved during the 3rd quarter with a smooth jumper and Jenna Ehlers (Philadelphia, PA/Solanco) with a strong layup that put the Dragons score at 48.

With Nighthawks down 48-28, Lisa Chatsriwet hoping to spark the Nighthawks early in the 4th quarter with a jump shot that falls in and decreases the deficit to 18. Ehlers strikes back with a layup for the Dragons putting the score at 50-32. With 5:45 left on the clock and Dragons with their biggest lead over the Nighthawks Harmon is good for another jumper, putting the score at 58-34. Dragons continue to keep things rolling as time runs out, with the bench on their feet and everyone involved. With 1:16 left on the clock Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) sought to land a final blow to the Nighthawks with a 3-pointer that called for a standing ovation and cheers from the bench and crowd. A few more fouls sends the Dragons to the line resulting in a final score of 68-40.

Dragons get back to it this weekend as they head down to Cumberland, MD to face the #20 ranked Thunder Wolves of Niagara CCC on Saturday, November 11 at 1 PM at Allegany College of Maryland.