ROCKVILLE, MD - A suffocating Howard Dragons defense was able to fend off a strong Montgomery Raptors team to give Howard a 64-55 victory. The win increases the Dragons record to 19-5 and puts Howard back on top of the Region 20 standings at 7-1.

The Howard defense was phenomenal in the first half, holding the powerful Raptors to just 22 points as the Dragons took a 29-22 lead at the break. 

Jalen Bowie (Frederick, MD/Frederick) broke out in the second half, combined with the strong play of O'Meech Wilson (Glen Burnie, MD/North County) in the paint as the Dragons were able to pull out the low scoring game.

Bowie led the way with 18 points along with 5 assists and 5 steals. Wilson played all 40 minutes in the game and scored 15 points with 13 rebounds and a couple of blocks. Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) scored 10 while Shane Taylor (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) chipped in 9.

The Dragons will next travel to another neighboring rival as they take on the Frederick Cougars on Wednesday, February 7 at 7 PM. The Dragons have won the last three in a row over Frederick and are 3-0 since the return of coach Mike Smelkinson to Howard. Before that, Frederick had won six in a row over the Dragons.