Baltimore, MD - In an early candidate for game of the year, the Howard Community College Dragons slipped past CCBC Dundalk 72-65 in their conference opener.

Capitalizing on Lions foul trouble, the Dragons outlasted a Dundalk offense that is among the highest scoring in Region 20. Two Dragons recorded double-doubles as Howard moved to 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.

The Dragons had two goals entering Monday night's game: find a way around Dundalk's full-court press defense and shut down the dominant scoring of Hussein Williams. The quickly solved the first task, using creative passes to get the ball behind Dundalk's defense and into the paint. Dundalk adjusted their defensive formation in response, keeping the game low-scoring through the first half.

Both teams remained evenly matched deep into the first half, with Howard holding a slight 20-19 advantage thanks to a Sincere Barfield (Baltimore, MD/Patterson) three-pointer. Dundalk's offense, stuck in neutral, finally woke up. The Lions built up a seven-point lead in less than a minute, forcing head coach Mike Smelkinson to call a much-needed timeout. Out of the break, the Dragons began chipping away at Dundalk's lead. Anthony Djami's (Paris, France/Brequigny) free throws made it a two-possession game, and a tough Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) layup made it a four-point contest. Dundalk fouls in the paint forced another set of free throws, which Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) aced. Henriques finished the come-back with a tough shot that drew a foul, and a jumper by Arthur Roaché gave the Dragons the lead with second left. One last Dundalk three-pointer made it 35-34 at the half.

The second half continued to be a back-and-forth battle, with neither team giving an inch. Dundalk's outside shooters continued to lace the Dragons net with threes, but every bucket was answered by the Dragons drawing a foul and scoring off the free throws. Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) was fouled more than anyone else, scoring on all but two of his free throws. Dundalk's foul trouble eventually caught up with them, and the Dragons began to pull away. A corner three by Sincere Barfield (Baltimore, MD/Patterson) made it a seven-point game, and two Anthony Djami (Paris, France/Brequigny) free throws extended the lead to nine.

Dundalk's shooting began to falter in the closing minutes. The Lions pulled within five points, only for another string of fouls to extend Howard's lead. With four minutes to go, Arthur Roaché was fouled on a layup. He aced the free throw, giving the Dragons an eight point lead. Dundalk fought back, closing in to three points off an Xavier Barrow three pointer. With one minute left, the Dragons needed to draw one more foul from Dundalk to clinch the win. After a quick timeout to draw up a play, the Dragons got the foul when Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) was knocked to the ground. Johnson aced his free throws, but Dundalk still had a chance. On their next possession, the Lions missed a three pointer, Henriques snatched the rebound, and Johnson was fouled on the ensuing fast break. Johnson knocked down his free throws to clinch the win.

Henriques finished with 17 points and eleven rebounds for his first double-double of the season. 13 of his 17 points came from free throws. Johnson scored 15 points with two assists, while Roaché added 15 points and five rebounds. Djami scored his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Sincere Barfield (Baltimore, MD/Patterson) had ten points, including both Dragon threes.

The Dragons next face Allegany College of Maryland on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00pm.