Frederick, MD - The Howard Community College women's basketball team held Frederick Community College to just 28.7 percent shooting from the field, and ultimately took down the Cougars 70-44 on the road Wednesday night. Freshman forward Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) with an incredible finish, earning her second double-double of the year with a new career-high of 20 points and 20 rebounds. 

Jumping out to an early 14-3 lead, Howard continued to get a number of stops on defense which held the Cougars shooting to 15.8 percent from the field, and tacked on twelve defensive rebounds in the process. Seven out of the twelve rebounds in the opening minutes were grabbed by Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville). Constant ball movement within the Dragons offense continued to put pressure on the Cougar defense. Making some noise from beyond the arc, offensive showstoppers Nhaikyia Smith (Waldorf, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) and Madison Carey (Brandywine, MD/Frederick Douglass), find their rhythm early to push the Dragons ahead for a 23-13 lead in the second. Frederick able to answer back and decrease their deficit, but the Dragons continued to keep their lead and entered halftime with a 35-23 lead.

Howard opened up scoring after halftime, with back-to-back points in the paint. Mikiyah Mallett (Pasadena, MD/Old Mill) with a defensive presence in the first half, enters into the third quarter ready to go on offense.  A jumper and layup are good for Mallett to push the Dragons lead even further. Putting on an offensive show, Howard takes a 47-33 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Howard continued crashing the boards in the fourth quarter, picking up their 30th defensive rebound of the night, made possible by Smith, that also opened up scoring inside for Carey the Dragon advantage to sixteen points. After going on a 6-0 scoring run, Howard widened its advantage to 53-33 and continued to do so in the final minutes. Dragons ultimately pushed the Cougar deficit past twenty points, made possible by Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy), Smith, and Offer from the line, and a handful of fast break points from Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach), Smith, and Offer for a final score of 70-46.

- Offer led the way with 20 points and twenty rebounds
- Smith matched Offer with 20 points, and tacked on eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals
- Carey followed with 16 points and six rebounds
- Mallett finished with a double-double of her own with 10 points and 15 rebounds
- Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) added 3 points and 2 rebounds
- Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) added one point, 2 assists, and 1 rebound
 

Up Next 
Howard Community College women's basketball will travel to Garrett College for another region 20 match-up, in McHenry, MD on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 PM.