LA PLATA, MD - A tough battle between the top two teams in the region saw the College of Southern Maryland Hawks snap the eight game winning streak of the Howard Dragons by the score of 81-71. The Dragons fall to a three way tie for first place in the region with the Hawks and CCBC Catonsville as Howard goes to 21-6 on the season. 

The Dragons went on a big run to tip off the first half as they went up by double digits. The Hawks began to find their offensive rhythm midway through the first half to propel them to a high scoring 45-37 lead at halftime.

Andrew Mills (Owings Mills, MD/New Town) began to assert his will early in the second half as he was able to get to the rim on three early possessions after the break as the Dragons closed the gap to three points. After the Hawks went back up by seven, O'Meech Wilson (Glen Burnie, MD/North County) had back to back dunks as Howard continued to stay within striking distance. A minute later, Wilson spun through the Southern Maryland defense and laid the ball in the basket as the Dragon forwards continued to spur the offense.  

The two teams continued to exchange baskets back and forth as a five point Hawks lead with six minutes left was cut into by a Ryan Conway (Towson, MD/Dulaney) three pointer. Blocks by Jalen Bowie (Frederick, MD/Frederick), Mills, and Wilson kept the score the same for a couple minutes. Shane Taylor (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) made a couple of free throws followed by an off balance jumper to keep the Dragons behind by two with three minutes left. The Dragons would stall out from there as the Hawks were able to close out the game on their home court.

Howard will have 10 days of rest before traveling to Chesapeake College on Friday, February 23 at 7 PM. The Skipjacks are 11-14 on the season and currently sit in fifth place in the region at 5-3. The Dragons have won two of the last three meetings between the two teams including the last one in a 70-64 victory at home in November 2022.