New Rochelle, NY - For the second time this season, the Howard Community College Dragons came up short to the Monroe University Mustangs, falling 66-62 in the opening round of the Monroe Mixer.

Saturday night's match up was much closer than the November clash between the two teams. The Dragons only trailed by six after the first half, and outscored the Mustangs in the second. However, a late layup by Monroe's Delano Evans sealed a clutch win for the Mustangs, and moved the Dragons to 0-3 on the season.

A balanced attack from the Dragons was the key in Saturday's match up. Howard looked to spread the ball more and keep the score close, which they accomplished. Brando Campos (Baltimore, MD/Hammond) notched nine rebounds in the first half to lead the Dragons, and Howard's defense clamped down on Monroe's shooting. However, Howard failed to shoot better than 20% and hit just one of their 13 three-point attempts. Howard trailed 27-21 at the half, still in contention but needing a spark on offense.

The Dragons finally got their offense going in the second half, shooting 40.0% from the field and hitting six three pointers. Noah Mercer (Washingon, D.C./SEED DC Charter School) erupted for 15 points, and the Dragons began to close in. But every time Howard got within a possession, Monroe would go on a run and extend their lead to double digits. With one minute left, Mercer hit a crucial three pointer to close the gap to five points, and after forcing a turnover, Campos hit a three to make it a two-point game. The Dragons just needed a stop, but were unable to prevent the final basket to seal the game for Monroe.

 Mercer finished with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Campos added 12 points, 17 rebounds, and four steals as he recorded the first double-double of the season for himself and the Dragons. Cameron Beane (Baltimore, MD/Loch Raven) added ten points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Chase Price (Prince George's County, MD/John F. Kennedy) scored eight points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in his Dragons debut. Miles Reinders (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) and Jawan Hopson (Baltimore, MD/New Town), both freshly promoted to the varsity squad, had excellent days: Reinders added six points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Hopson scored six points, nine rebounds, and three steals.

The Dragons will wrap up the Monroe Mixer on Sunday with a showdown with Touro University.