Columbia, MD - On a historic night in Columbia, the Howard Community College Dragons men's basketball team oversaw the opening of their new arena with a resounding 70-54 win over Baltimore City Community College.

A tough, back-and-forth game in the first half transformed into a blowout as the defending Region champion Dragons erupted for 36 points in the second half. Aided by a 15-point day from freshman Sincere Barfield (Baltimore, MD/Patterson), the Dragons capped off the night with the 250th coaching victory for head coach Mike Smelkinson.

The Dragons opened the night with a bang, as sophomore Arthur Roaché hit a deep three for the first Dragon points in the new building. A second three pointer from Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) sent the crowd into hysterics, but Baltimore City was ready to cool them off. The Panthers would quickly establish themselves in the opening minutes, taking a 15-9 lead after five minutes.

A nice run by the Dragons, sparked by a tough basket from Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach), tied the game at 19 all. Dean would stay hot, sinking a free throw to give the Dragons the lead, then quickly swiping the ball to set up two Dragon layups. Baltimore CIty refused to go away, tying the game back up at 28-28 with three minutes to go. Tough layups by Anthony Djami (Paris, France/Brequigny) and Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) gave Howard the lead back, but a late Panther score made it 34-30 at the half.

The second half saw the game flipped upside down. Howard's defense clamped down on Baltimore City's two leading scorers. Marquise Delahaye and Kuich Gatwech had scored 15 and ten points respectively in the first half. They combined for just four in the second. With the two best shooters neutralized, the Dragons quickly expanded their lead to kick off the second half. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) and Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) hit back-to-back jumpers, but Baltimore City responded with back-to-back scores of their own. The Panthers continued to answer every score that Howard made, and halfway through the half the Dragons led 43-41.

Once again, it was Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) who lit the spark that changed the game. Dean hit a massive three pointer that kicked off a huge run. The Dragons took complete control, with Arthur Roaché scoring nine points and five rebounds alone during this stretch. Howard's lead ballooned to eleven as they held the Panthers scoreless for nearly two full minutes. In the final five minutes, Sincere Barfield (Baltimore, MD/Patterson) took over. Barfield juked his way through the Panther defense for a tough basket, then hit back-to-back three pointers that brought the Kahler Foundation Complex crowd to its feet. Barfield also hit Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) with a beautiful through-the-legs pass that set up Roaché's final basket of the game. With 36 seconds left, Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) put the exclamation point on the victory with a two-handed dunk.

Barfield was the leading scorer for the Dragons with 15 points and five rebounds. Roaché finished with 14 points and eight rebounds in an impressive performance. Djami had ten points, six rebounds, and two assists, while McDuffie added ten points and four rebounds. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) added seven points, Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) had six points, and Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) added six rebounds and three assists.

The Dragons next battle Essex County Community College on Saturday, November 9 at 2:00 PM. They will rematch the Panthers on December 20.