Columbia, MD - Howard Community College's women's basketball team survived a tough, defensive battle on Saturday, defeating the College of Southern Maryland 58-44.

A 25-point fourth quarter helped the Dragons pull away from a stingy Hawks team to snag their fifth win of the season and fourth win the last five games. Despite being out-rebounded, the Dragons forced 31 turnovers and recorded 18 steals, while offensively three Dragons scored in double-digits.

Saturday's game started slow for both teams with just four points scored in the first five minutes. Howard's defense locked down the Hawks but early foul trouble kept Southern Maryland in the game. Both teams combined for 12 turnovers in the first quarter and just 19 points, with Howard holding a 10-9 advantage. The difference was a tough layup-and-one by Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) with two minutes to go in the quarter.

Howard began to pull away at the start of the second quarter, with deep three pointers by Whittle and Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) giving the Dragons a six-point lead. Once again, the Hawks fought back, but this time Howard's defense held strong. The Dragons held Southern Maryland to just eight points in the half, with tough baskets down the stretch by Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) giving Howard a 23-17 lead.

Out of the half, the Dragons ran into trouble. Southern Maryland's offense got going, outscoring the Dragons in the third quarter. Foul trouble allowed the Hawks to slide within five points of the Dragons. Up 33-28 at the end of the quarter, Howard kept losing steam into the fourth as Southern Maryland tied it up. Looking for some breathing room, the Dragons sent Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) into the game. Forbes, who hadn't played in over a month, immediately scored upon entering the contest, giving the Dragons just the spark they needed. Contested baskets in the paint by Offer and Ruth gave the Dragons a double-digits lead, sapping Southern Maryland's momentum and allowing the Dragons to pull away with a 14-point win.

Whittle was the leading scorer for the Dragons with 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Offer added 11 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Ruth had 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Despite playing just eight minutes in the fourth quarter, Forbes managed to score eight points and two assists. Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) had a solid game with seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) added six points, four rebounds, two assists, and four steals, while McKenzi Walters (Falls Church, VA/George C. Marshall) scooped up five rebounds.

The Dragons next face Garrett College on Wednesday, January 15 at 12:00 PM.