Largo, MD - The Howard Community College's thirteen-game winning streak came to an abrupt end Tuesday night, as the Dragons were defeated 71-62 by the Prince George's Community College Owls.

In front of a hostile crowd, the Dragons struggled to find the basket in the second half, shooting just 37% down the stretch. The Dragons failed to make a shot in the final six minutes, with their only points coming from two free throws. Despite the loss, the Dragons still hold the second seed in the upcoming Region 20 playoffs.

The Owls immediately proved to be a challenge for the Dragons within the opening minutes. The Dragons got early support off the bench from Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson) and Savion Gowder (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac), with the latter scoring a crucial tip-in to tie the contest. Jaden Johnson's (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) consecutive shots gave Howard some breathing room, and allowed the Dragons to settle into a rhythm. Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson) hit a massive three to extend the lead to multiple possessions, but PG fought back to within three. Clutch baskets by Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) and Truth Norton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) couldn't shake off the Owls, and a tip-in with two second left made it a three-point game once again.

However, the Owls lost their momentum on perhaps the craziest play of the season by Howard. PG's Jaylen Judge missed his free throw, and Christian Dean (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) scooped up the rebound. With less than a second left and balancing on one leg due to heavy PG pressure, Dean launched the ball across the court. Amazingly, Dean's circus shot was on target for one of the greatest scores in HCC basketball history.

The Dragons kept their momentum going in the second half, with tough shots by Dean and Arthur Roaché expanding the lead to double-digits. But PG refused to lie down, capitalizing on Dragon foul trouble to close back in. With ten minutes left, the Owls took the lead, only for Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson) to snag it back with a deep three. The game became a back-and-forth shootout, with Barfield launching another three with six minutes left. It would be the last field goal the Dragons made all night.

After Anthony Djami (Paris, France/Brequigny) fouled out, the Dragons suddenly couldn't find the basket. Howard missed four straight shots, while the Owls calmly retook the lead. Jaden Johnson's (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) free throw with one minute left made it a four point game, but PG's Tyler Donald ripped the Dragons hearts out with a dagger three. The Dragons missed their last two shots to close out the 71-62 loss.

Henriques finished as the leading scorer for the Dragons with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Barfield managed 12 points and three three-pointers, while Dean added ten points and four steals. Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise) managed nine points, five assists, and three steals, while Truth Norton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) scored eight points and three steals. Savion Gowder (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) scooped up six rebounds off the bench.

The Dragons are gearing up for their next game against Chesapeake College in a potential playoff preview on Friday, February 21 at 7:00 PM.