Columbia, MD - Howard Community College's men's basketball team suffered their second loss of the season Saturday afternoon, falling to Monroe University 80-55.

In the second game of the Hoop Here Get There Classic, the Dragons fell behind early to Monroe and never recovered. The Dragons' five-game winning streak was snapped as they fell to 7-2 on the season.

The Monroe Mustangs had opened the HHGTC the previous night, blowing out CCBC Catonsville. Playing in their second-straight game, the Mustangs came out of the gate slower than usual, allowing the Dragons to pounce. Despite facing a team with a major height advantage, the Dragons managed to draw crucial fouls in the opening minutes to keep up with Monroe. Back-to-back threes from Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) and Arthur Roaché made it 12-12 halfway through the first half.

The game remained tightly contested over the next few minutes, with tough baskets by Roaché and Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) keeping the score close. Unfortunately for the Dragons, this was the closest the game would be all afternoon. A sudden surge from the Mustangs, coupled with crucial turnovers by the Dragons, ballooned Monroe's lead to 15. A Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) buzzer-beating jumper just before the half gave the Dragons confidence that, even though they were down 40-27, they could bounce back in the second half.

Things did not get much better for the Dragons in the second. Monroe immediately pounced, answering every Howard shot with two of their own. The lead remained deadlocked at 15 until the eight minute mark, where the Mustangs began to pull away. Howard soon benched their starters, sending in second and third string players to wrap up the loss. Howard finished the contest having forced more turnovers, but the Dragons were out-rebounded 43-28 and shot 13.3% from three-point range.

Roaché ended up as the leading scorer for the Dragons, finishing the night with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists for a double-double. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) scored nine points, three rebounds, and four assists. Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) had nine points, while Savion Gowder (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) added six points, four rebounds, and a block. Anthony Djami (Paris, France/Brequigny) finished the night with five points, five rebounds, and three steals.

The Dragons next face off against Region 20 rival Montgomery College on Saturday, December 14 at 3:00 PM.