Columbia, MD - Behind a double-double from TaJir Webster (Waldorf, MD/St. Charles) and three more double-digit scorers, the Howard Community College Dragons moved to 2-0 in Region 20 play with a 73-55 victory over the Frederick Community College Cougars!

The Dragons first home game since November 5 saw them open up a double-digit lead early and never look back. Howard held off numerous charges by the Cougars in the second half, and despite poor shooting from beyond the arc, secured their fifth win of the season. The win moves the Dragons back above .500 and back into contention for the Region 20 crown.

Howard came out strong, opening a 9-1 lead over the Cougars in the opening minutes. Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) dominated the paint for the Dragons, scoring ten points in the first half to lead HCC. Matt Dalton (Sykesville, MD/Bishop O'Connell) in particular had an excellent half, fighting through heavy Frederick pressure to score multiple contested baskets. Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson), coming off a two-game break due to a wrist injury, sliced his way through Frederick's defenders to score multiple baskets as Howard opened up a 37-28 lead. This was despite the Dragons shooting 0-11 from beyond the arc.

Barfield really took control in the second half, scoring ten points to lead Howard and freeing up his teammates for easy shots. Jake Tillman (Atlanta, GA/Lakeside) and Lorcan Hyndman (Sydney, Australia/Bishop O'Connell) finally broke through to give the Dragons some three-pointers, and McDuffie's vicious attacks on the basket left Frederick stunned. The Cougars attempted several runs, getting within six points early in the half, but nothing was working for them. Defensively, Howard shut down Frederick's top shooters, holding the Cougars to just one double-digit point scorer. Late in the contest, TaJir Webster (Waldorf, MD/St. Charles) erupted to snag enough rebounds and shots to secure his first career double-double and earn Player of the Game honors.

Webster was the leading scorer for the Dragons with 16 points and ten rebounds. McDuffie continued his streak of scoring double-digits in every game this season with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Barfield's return from injury saw him drop 13 points and two rebounds off the bench, while Matt Dalton (Sykesville, MD/Bishop O'Connell) broke through to score ten points and four rebounds. Jake Tillman (Atlanta, GA/Lakeside) knocked down six points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Juan Bell (Silver Spring, MD/James Hubert Blake) had an excellent day at the point with six assists. Cedric Harville (Baltimore, MD/Ben Franklin) made the most of his time on the court with six rebounds and a block.

The Dragons face a major test next as they face CCBC Dundalk in a rivalry showdown on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 PM at home!