Columbia, MD - With four players scoring in double digits, Howard Community College scored a massive win Wednesday night as they took down Cecil College 73-58!

The gym at Howard Community College pulsed with noise long before tip-off. The lacrosse team and other Dragons packed the bleachers, eager to watch one of the most anticipated games of the regular season. Cecil College had come to town with confidence, having sat atop the Region 20 Division II standings for much of the season. But from the opening minutes, it was clear the Dragons were more than ready for the challenge.

Howard set the tone within seconds of the opening tip. The first basket was a steal and dime in the backcourt by Juan Bell (Silver Spring, MD/James Hubert Blake) who led the team in assists. This led to an easy layup for Sincere Barfield (Philadelphia, PA/Patterson), who finished the game with 15 points and 4 steals. Bell and Barfield's play ignited the crowd, starting a monster run for the Dragons. Before ten minutes could pass in the first period, the Dragons had already built a thirteen-point lead. Howard got a huge boost from Lorcan Hyndman's (Sydney, Australia/Bishop O'Connell) perimeter shooting, as he started the game 2-2 from the three-point line and finished with ten points and five rebounds. Nehemiah Smith (Bronx, NY/Laurel) had a block, four points, and five rebounds in his first start of the season, anchoring the Dragons down low. 

By the midpoint of the first half, Cecil had found their rhythm. Marcus Edmond Jr. scored 12 points to bring the Seahawks back into the contest. The visitors adjusted to Howard's relentless attack, hitting a few tough shots and cutting into the margin. But every time momentum threatened to swing, Howard answered with an offensive rebound here and a perfectly timed backdoor cut there. At the half, the Dragons led 29-24, a slim but confident lead.

The second half was where Howard truly separated itself. Myles McDuffie (Baltimore, MD/Lake Clifton) led the scoring charge with 18 points, seven rebounds, and going a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe. The Dragons outscored Cecil 44-34 in the later period, with their defense tightening on the Seahawks. Howard trapped Cecil's ball handlers along the sidelines and contested every shot, causing the Seahawks to struggle to find clean looks. Howard's offense stayed patient and strong, with four total Dragons finished in double figures. Alongside McDuffie, Hyndman, and Barfield in double digits, Evin Thompson (Silver Spring, MD/Sherwood) proved to be the secret spark plug for the Dragons. With eleven points and two steals on just six shots, Thompson was the third leading scorer as he hit double figures for the sixth time this season. 

Cecil fought until the final buzzer, but Howard's depth and energy proved too much. As the clock wound down, the bench rose, clapping and cheering, knowing the game was secured. When the horn finally sounded, the scoreboard told the story, Howard Community College men's basketball had earned a decisive, hard-fought victory. This game adds to the Dragon's win streak making it their fifth win a row, and puts them into the conversation for the number one seed in the Region 20 tournament.

Howard will next take the court on January 23 in Bel Air, Maryland to take on the rival Harford Community College Fighting Owls at 7:00 PM.