McHenry, MD - Despite a strong comeback attempt, the Howard Community College women's basketball team (13-5, 6-2) fell to the Garrett College Lakers (10-5, 2-2) by a score of 69-60 on Saturday.

The Lakers started strong, grabbing a 13-7 lead early, and extended it to a 12-point advantage in the final minute of the first quarter. Sophomore Nhaikyia Smith (Waldorf, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) kept the Dragons afloat with 10 points in the first half, but Howard trailed 37-22 at intermission.

Undeterred, the Dragons roared back in the third quarter with a 7-0 run, fueled by Jaylah Putman's (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) inside presence, to narrow its deficit to 37-29. Howard kept the Lakers within reaching distance during the remaining minutes of the third, and trailed by 9 points heading into the final quarter. 

Dragons able to light a fire in the fourth, highlighted by Putman and Smith leading a 6-0 surge that brought Howard within two points. However, a game-changing Lakers steal and layup swung the momentum back their way, and Howard couldn't recover. Dragons fall to the Lakers by a final score of 69-60. 

Smith led the Dragons offense with team-high 21 points, and picked up 4 assists and 4 steals. Mikiyah Mallet followed behind with 15 points and six rebounds, while Putman tacked on 11 points and 6 rebounds. Madison Carey (Brandywine, MD/Frederick Douglass) contributed with 7 points and nine rebounds, and Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) chipped in with with 6 points and 8 rebounds.
 

Short break for the Dragons, but they face the College of Southern Maryland Hawks on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 PM.