Hagerstown, MD - For the second time this season, the Howard Community College Dragons needed overtime to best their opponent, as they defeated Hagerstown Community College 81-77.

Fighting back from a first-half deficit, the Dragons forced overtime after Hagerstown missed potential game-winning free throws. Behind a 27-point day from Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach), the Dragons pulled away in the extra period for their 14th victory of the season.

The Dragons opened the contest strong, with Truth Norton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) and Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) scoring big buckets in the paints. However, the Dragons struggled to contain Hagerstown's three-point shooters, and found themselves trailing 33-28 at the half. The Dragons fought back into the lead early in the second half, capitalizing on Hagerstown turnovers and foul trouble. The Dragons, who committed just two fouls in the first half, ran into foul trouble themselves to keep the Hawks even with them.

With just a few minutes left, a crucial Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) three-pointer gave Howard a slim four-point lead. Hagerstown hit a clutch shot to lower the deficit to one, then tied things up on a free throw. Another pair of Hagerstown free throws gave the Hawks a 65-63 lead with less than a minute to go. Norton hit a huge game-tying shot off the glass with 20 seconds left, and after Hagerstown missed their free throws, the Dragons would get one last possession. On said possession, Norton was called for a foul with one second left, giving the Hawks a chance to win on free throws. As if the basketball gods themselves had intervened, both free throws missed, sending the game to overtime.

Christian Dean (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) took control of the game in overtime, hitting key basket after key basket to give Howard the lead. Hagerstown's foul trouble kept sending the Dragons to the line, and although the Hawks did fight back into the contest, a last-minute round of free throws iced the contest for the Dragons.

Dean set a new career-high with 27 points, four rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Henriques finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Norton kept his hot streak going with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) notched eleven points, five rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Arthur Roaché added ten points, nine rebounds, and five steals off the bench.

The Dragons next host Westmoreland County Community College on Saturday, January 25 at 3:00 PM.