New Rochelle, NY - The Howard CC Dragons were able to fend off the division I national powerhouse Monroe Mustangs to defeat the tournament hosts in a 44-40 defensive showcase. The Dragons improve to 8-3 on the season as they continue to have one of the best seasons in program history.

Points were hard to come by throughout the whole game, especially in the early going as the Mustangs jumped out to a 9-0 lead. It took five minutes for the Dragons to get on the scoreboard as Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) was able to scoop in a layup and later hit a three pointer to end the first quarter as the Dragons trailed by five.

Sydnei Harmon (Largo, MD/C.H. Flowers) made a hoop and harm early in the second quarter followed by another Putman three pointer as Howard began to claw their way back into the game. Harmon would make two more layups and a free throw late in the quarter to give Howard their first lead at 23-22 going into halftime. 

Harmon continued to dominate early in the third quarter with Mikiyah Mallett (Pasadena, MD/Old Mill) and Putman getting points in the paint as the Dragons held on to a three point lead after three quarters of play. Both teams struggled to get open looks in the final quarter with points having to be hard earned. Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) hit a clutch mid-range jumper followed by a Putman layup to get the Howard lead up to five. Harmon was huge in the paint over the final 10 minutes of the game, racking up blocks and rebounds as the Mustangs shot just 24% from the field. Madison Carey (Brandywine, MD/Frederick Douglass) closed the game out with a couple of key free throws to secure the Howard victory in New York.

Harmon led the way with 15 points along with 14 rebounds and three blocks. Putman was close behind with 12 points while Offer added 5 points.

The Dragons will look to continue their good start to the 2024 calendar year with their second game in the Monroe Mixer on Sunday, January 7 against Monroe Community College. The tip-off is scheduled for 12 PM as the Dragons look to defeat the Tribunes for a second time this season after a 63-42 on November 4, 2023.