Frederick, MD - The Howard defense showed up strong once again and Mikiyah Mallett (Pasadena, MD/Old Mill) dominated the paint as the Dragons defeated the #5 seeded Chesapeake Skipjacks in the Region 20 tournament quarterfinals.

The early game had the two teams even as Sarah Deese (Woodbine, MD/Century) hit a three pointer that was answered by the Skipjacks Ayanni Brown to give Chesapeake the 12-11 first quarter lead. Mallett bullied her way through the paint over and over, earning herself a plethora of trips to the free throw line where she scored seven of her 11 points in the first half. With Chesapeake holding a 20-17 lead late in the second quarter, Mallett ran the court for a fast break layup followed by a buzzer beating three pointer by Kalani Corkeron (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) to give Howard the halftime lead.

The third quarter was completely dominated by the Dragons as they made it a 14-0 run starting with Julia Harrington (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore City College) muscling her way into the paint for a lay up and fast break baskets by Nhaikyia Smith (Waldorf, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) and Mallett opened up the lead. Corkeron again hit a late three pointer and the Dragons led by 16 thanks to a 20-6 advantage in the third quarter. Chesapeake was never able to make a run back as Corkeron and Smith made all their free throws to end the Skipjacks season.

Mallett finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Corkeron also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Smith finished with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists while Sydnei Harmon (Largo, MD/Charles H. Flowers) chipped in 10 points and three blocks. Harrington rounded out the Howard starting five with six points and 12 rebounds.

The Dragons will move on to the semifinals were they will take on the #1 seed and #2 nationally ranked CCBC Essex Knights at 1 PM on Friday, March 10 at Frederick Community College. The Knights are 30-1 on the season and defeated Howard in the regular season 81-60 back on December 3.