Columbia, MD - Despite a second-half comeback, the Howard Community College Dragons fell 53-48 to the WVU Potomac State Catamounts in the first round of the Region 20 Tournament.

The Dragons struggled to score early, shooting 0.0% in the second quarter, but still fought back to make it a one possession game in the second half. A last-minute corner three by the Catamounts iced the contest, ending the Dragons season.

Howard came out aggressive, taking an early lead on the back of strong shooting from Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake). But the Catamounts answered every blow with one of their own, taking a 17-14 lead into the second quarter. That second period ended up being the Dragons kryptonite, as they failed to score a single point from the floor. The only points the Dragons managed to put up came from free throws, as Potomac State extended their lead to double-digits.

Trailing 28-17 to start the third quarter, the Dragons dug back into the contest. Whittle continued to shoot brilliantly, scoring a career high in points. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) hit several massive threes to cut down the deficit, and a clutch steal from Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) got the Dragons within a possession. The comeback continued into the fourth, with a Whittle steal-and-score making it a one point game. Potomac State quickly brought their advantage back up to two possessions, forcing the Dragons to start fouling. With time winding down, the Dragons could smell the lead, and a clutch basket by Dye Boiro Balde (Girona, Spain/IES Vallvera) in the paint made it a two-point game. But any hope of completing the comeback disappeared when Potomac State's Amber Bing hit a corner three with seconds left to ice the contest. The Dragons were unable to connect on a final shot, ending their season.

Whittle finished the contest with 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Jeselskis had a great shooting day, hitting three threes for nine points, while Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) finished her JUCO career with seven points, four rebounds, and two assists. Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond) recorded two big blocks, with Dye Boiro Balde (Girona, Spain/IES Vallvera) and McKenzi Walters (Falls Church, VA/George C. Marshall) dominated the paint with 14 and eight rebounds respectively.

The Dragons finished the season with a 15-10 overall record. Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach) was the leading scorer on the season with an average of 10.5 points per game. Hannah Chambers (Columbia, MD/Hammond) led the team in rebounds with 8.1 per game, while Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) led the team in assists with 3.6 per game. On the defensive side, Dye Boiro Balde (Girona, Spain/IES Vallvera) led the team in blocks with 1.0 per game, while Nicole Forbes (Reston, VA/South Lakes) led the team in steals with 2.1 per game. Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville) proved to be the most efficient shooter with a field goal percentage of .396 on the year. Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) led the team in three point shooting percentage with a .275 at seasons end. Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy) proved to be the most efficient free throw shooter with a .625 average.

The Dragons will say goodbye to sophomores Tamir Whittle (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake), Zakiyyah Brown (Upper Marlboro, MD/Friendship Collegiate Academy), Asaani Offer (Annapolis, MD/Catonsville), Dye Boiro Balde (Girona, Spain/IES Vallvera), Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, FL/Long Reach), and Kayden Jeselskis (Baltimore, MD/Rosedale Christian Academy) in the offseason, and are looking forward to the new year ahead.