Columbia, MD - In what is easily their biggest win of the season, the Howard Community College Dragons upset WVU Potomac State College 57-40 on Wednesday night.

The victory not only marks the Dragons seventh straight victory and tenth win in their last eleven games, but it puts the Dragons into the top-four of Region 20 Division II. If the results hold down the stretch, the Dragons could receive a top-seed in the upcoming Region 20 tournament.

Wednesday's game got off to a thrilling start, with both teams taking turns with the lead in the opening quarter. Potomac State jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but early foul trouble allowed the Dragons to close back in. Howard snagged its first lead off a deep three from Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach), who immediately scored on a fast-break seconds later. Potomac State battled back to tie the game at 14 after one quarter.

The second quarter saw the contest develop into a defensive duel. Neither team could shoot well, with points sparse. Back-to-back jumpers by Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) and Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) broke the drought and kicked off a 13-6 run by Howard's offense. While Potomac State did battle back to take the lead, consistent foul trouble kept the Dragons in striking range. A deep three by Forbes and a clutch layup by Putman pushed the Dragons ahead as they led 27-20 entering the break.

Howard's offense took control in the third, extending their lead to double-digits for the first time. Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) took control off the bench, launching a deep three and scoring on back-to-back layups. Putman's second three-pointer of the night made it an 18-point game, and after a brief Catamount run, Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) made it nearly 20-points with a deep three. A 5-0 Potomac State run late in the period brought the Catamounts back into contention with one quarter to go.

Potomac State continued their comeback entering the fourth, with a 6-3 run that was only interrupted by a deep Forbes three. With their double-digit lead in jeopardy, the Dragons turned to Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey). Back-to-back fast-break layups restored the Dragons lead, and a Putman floater iced the contest with four minutes left. Potomac State resorted to fouling, and the Dragons aced their free throws to pull away.

Putman had her fourth 20+ point game of the season and her third in the last four games. She finished with a team-leading 20 points, three rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Mariah Ruth's (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) late heroics saved the day for the Dragons, as she finished with nine points and five rebounds. Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) continued to be deadly off the bench, contributing eight points and four assists. Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) ran the point perfectly, adding seven points, two rebounds, and five assists, while Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) locked down the middle with six points, nine rebounds, one block, and two steals. The Dragons got a major defensive boost from Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond), who notched ten rebounds, while Dye Boire Balde had an excellent defensive night with eleven rebounds, two blocks, and four steals.

The Dragons next face Frederick Community College on Saturday, February 1 at 12:00 PM.