Largo, MD - Howard Community College's ten-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday night, as the Dragons fell to the Prince George's Community College Owls 57-45.

In a massive contest with second-place in Region 20 on the line, the Dragons were defeated for the first time since early January. Howard fought back from an early deficit to take the lead entering the half, but could not keep the momentum going. A seven-point third quarter ended Howard's chances of winning, and the loss knocked the Dragons out of a top-four seed in the upcoming Region 20 tournament for now.

Howard trailed 8-0 through the opening minutes, but a Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) three-pointer kicked off a rally. The Dragons dug their way back into the contest, trailing by just three after the first quarter. PG once again built up an eight point lead, but yet again the Dragons came roaring back. Howard's defense clamped down and held the Owls to just eight points in the second quarter. Tamir Whittle's (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) contested layup lowered the deficit to just four, and a series of free throws tied the contest. Jaylah Putman's (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) steal-and-score just before the half gave the Dragons their first lead and all the momentum they could ask for.

The third quarter saw Howard's offense go dry, with just seven total points scored. Despite this, the defense kept the came close, with Howard trailing by just six entering the final frame. But this was a hole the Dragons couldn't climb out of, and despite excellent inside play by Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) and Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey), the Dragons defense couldn't stop PG's outside shooters. A series of clutch shots by the Owls iced the game, handing the Dragons their eighth loss of the season.

Offer was the leading scorer for the Dragons with eleven points and six rebounds. Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond) finished the night with nine points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Mariah Ruth (Lancaster, PA/McCaskey) added seven points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) scored six points off the bench along with four steals. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) scored six points off two three-pointers.

Howard next faces Chesapeake in a potential playoff matchup on Friday, February 22 at 5:00 PM.