Columbia, MD - In one of the most exciting basketball games of the season, the Howard Community College Dragons survived a battle with the CCBC Catonsville Cardinals to win their Region 20 tournament opener 93-85.

Facing the same team they pummeled one week earlier, the Dragons found themselves in a high-scoring onslaught. Unable to stop the Cardinals from scoring at will, the Dragons matched Catonsville's pace throughout the game. Four Dragons scored in double-digits, with three scoring over 20 points to defeat the Cardinals for a second-straight postseason. The win punches the Dragons ticket to the semifinals of the tournament!

Howard had easily handled the Cardinals in their regular season finale, but quickly found out that Catonsville hadn't taken that loss well. The Cardinals jumped all over Howard in the opening minutes, forcing the Dragons to play a much faster-paced game than they had planned. Catonsville's Karris Scott and Lance Porter could not be stopped, dropping a combined 32 first-half points and four three pointers. Howard's starters seemed stuck in the mud, except for Jaden Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A. Wise). Perfect from the floor, Johnson hit a pair of big threes to keep the Dragons close to their rival. Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson) came off the bench to drop three deep three-pointers, keeping Howard ahead of the Cardinals. Barfield's final three came with seconds left to put the Dragons up by three, but an immediate response from Catonsville made it 41-40 at the half.

After a passionate halftime speech from Coach Mike Smelkinson, the Dragons entered the second half on fire. Howard could keep up with the Cardinals, but what kept them ahead was foul trouble. 18 personal fouls in the second half doomed Catonsville's chances, as they slipped behind the Dragons and never recovered. Porter and Scott's shooting kept the game close, but Barfield and Johnson answered every bucket with one of their own. Barfield hit two deep threes and drew a crucial and-one down the stretch that pushed the Dragons over 90 points. Emanuel Henriques (Baltimore, MD/Benjamin Franklin) got in on the action, hitting ten of his 12 free throw attempts and dunking over the head of Porter to close out the win.

Barfield had the best day of his collegiate career, dropping 25 points, four assists, and four steals. Johnson began his tournament strong with a career-best 22 points and five assists. Henriques scored 20 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while Christian Dean (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) added 13 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

The Dragons next face WVU Potomac State on Friday in the semifinals of the Region tournament.