Columbia, MD - Howard Community College's women;'s basketball team made history on Friday night, as they defeated the Baltimore City Community College Panthers 65-47 in the first ever game at the Kahlert Foundation Complex.

Behind a stout defensive performance that held the Panthers to single-digit points in two out of four quarters, the Dragons put an exclamation point on a day of celebration. Four Dragons scored in double-digits, while the defense snagged 53 rebounds and forced 31 turnovers.

Following a special ceremony to officially open the new arena, the Dragons took to the court for the inaugural game. Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond) would cement her name in the history books with the first ever points scored at the new arena. The rest of the first quarter saw both teams struggle to find the basket. Howard built an 10-0 lead, including a deep three-pointer from Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy). The Panthers refused to be put away early, clamping down on defense and outscoring the Dragons 13-3 to end the quarter.

Howard kicked off the second half with a tough contested layup by Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake). It was just the spark that the Dragons needed as they ballooned their lead to 12 over the next few minutes. Aided by a second three pointer by Jeselskis and a perfect trip to the line for Whittle after a foul on a three-point attempt, the Dragons built a 26-14 lead. Baltimore City tried to eat back into the deficit, but strong defense from Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond) in the middle kept the Panthers to just seven points in the quarter. Howard led 30-20 at the half, momentum completely on their side of the court.

Jeselskis continued her hot night out of the half. After Baltimore City was given a technical foul for a roster infraction, Jeselskis sank the free throw. She then turned around and hit her third three pointer of the night once play resumed, sparking another dominant quarter for the Dragons. Howard held the Panthers to just seven points for the second straight quarter. Six of those points came from consecutive three pointers that pushed Baltimore City into scoring range, only for the Dragons to respond. Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) and McKenzi Walters (Falls Church, VA/George C. Marshall) scored on back-to-back fastbreaks, and a Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) three-pointer brought the lead to 18. Up 48-27 after three, the Dragons could smell victory.

Baltimore City finally got some momentum going their way in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Dragons 20-17. It wouldn't matter, as crucial baskets by Ruth and Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) kept the Dragon lead in double-digits. Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) put the flourish on the inaugural win with a last-minute layup, putting the final score at 65-47.

The Dragons newcomers shined in the first game at the Kahlert Complex. Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) finished as the leading scorer for the Dragons, recording 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) tied Whittle with 13 points, while Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) came off the bench for 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) was a near-perfect 3-4 from three point range, finishing with ten points. Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond), along with scoring the first points in the new arena, gobbled up 14 rebounds. Sophomore returners Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) and Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) had quiet scoring days but still contributed. Offer had nine rebounds, while Brown scored seven points, three rebounds, and three assists. Dye Boiro Balde (Girona, Spain/IES Vallvera) added seven rebounds in the paint as the Dragons dominated on the boards.

Howard and Baltimore City will clash again on December 20. In the meantime, the Dragons (1-0), will host Essex County Community College on Saturday, November 9 at 12:00 PM.