Cranford, NJ - Howard Community College's women's basketball team started off the new year with a disappointing 94-37 loss to Union College.

The Dragons' three-game winning streak to close out 2024 was snapped as they faced their second top-five ranked opponent of the season. The Dragons were out-rebounded 66-29, and committed 45 turnovers.

With just six available players for the first game of 2025, the odds were stacked against the Dragons from the beginning. Howard kept things respectfully close through the first quarter, trailing only 27-11. The game got away from them from the second quarter onward, including two quarters were the Dragons were held to single-digit points. To try and keep up, the Dragons shot 25 three-point attempts, but only landed eight. In the fourth quarter, the Dragons managed to hold the Owls to under 20 points, but could only manage six points themselves to close out the loss.

Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) was the leading scorer for the Dragons, scoring 14 points and five rebounds. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) added eight points and three rebounds, while Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) dropped seven points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. McKenzi Walters (Falls Church, VA/George C. Marshall) had her best game of the season, dropping five points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) notched a pair of steals for the Dragons.

Howard next faces the College of Southern Maryland on Saturday, January 11 at 12:00 PM for their first home game of the new year.