The Howard Community College Dragons men’s basketball team fell 73-55 to the No. 13 Monroe Community College Tribunes on Nov. 1 in Columbia, Maryland. Ranked 22nd, Howard dropped to 1-1 on the season after trailing 34-22 at halftime.
Kalvyne Eby Leads with Second Straight Double-Double
Kalvyne Eby led the Dragons with 19 points, 11 rebounds, one block and two steals. The sophomore recorded his second consecutive double-double before fouling out midway through the second half.
Dragons Struggle from the Floor
Eby scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the first half, but Howard struggled to match Monroe’s offensive production. The Dragons shot 8-for-30 from the floor before halftime and missed all eight of their 3-point attempts.
RJ Greene added nine points, four rebounds and one block. Jamar Payen contributed eight points, two assists and two steals, while Arvin Batsinda finished with four points and nine rebounds. David Rushing added five rebounds.
Monroe Holds Off Late Comeback Effort
Foul trouble affected both teams in the second half. Howard capitalized on free throws, with Payen connecting on five of seven attempts.
Devin Thomas made two 3-pointers late in the game to spark momentum, but Monroe continued to build its lead and secured an 18-point victory.
Fernando Garcia made his Howard debut, recording two steals in the final minutes. The loss marked the Dragons’ first setback of the season.
Next Game: Howard Faces Essex County Community College
Howard Community College will play Essex County Community College on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in their next scheduled contest.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Howard CC received a strong individual effort from Eby, but their first-half shooting woes created too much of a deficit to overcome. Eby’s foul trouble further limited their chances in the second half. Payen’s free-throw shooting and Thomas’ late 3-pointers provided bright spots, but the Dragons will need more balanced production to bounce back against Essex County.
Source: Original report
