Howard Community College men’s basketball led No. 2 Kirkwood Community College at halftime before falling 76-74 Friday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. RJ Greene scored a career-high 25 points for the No. 20 Dragons, who dropped to 3-2 on the season.
Howard Community College held a 35-33 advantage at halftime but faced a 13-point deficit with eight minutes remaining. The Dragons rallied late, but Kirkwood secured the victory after Trevan Krumrei missed a free throw and grabbed his own rebound.
Howard Community College Builds Halftime Lead
Greene scored 10 first-half points as Howard Community College kept pace with the No. 2 team in NJCAA Division II basketball. Kalvyne Eby added seven first-half rebounds, while David Rushing helped limit Kirkwood’s outside shooting before leaving the game with a minor injury.
Kirkwood regained the lead late in the half, but Aiden Igwebe hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Howard Community College a 35-33 halftime lead. Igwebe continued to produce after the break, scoring 10 second-half points as the Dragons extended their advantage before Kirkwood responded.
Dragons Rally From 13-Point Deficit
Kirkwood built a 13-point lead with eight minutes remaining while capitalizing on Howard Community College turnovers. The Dragons answered with a late rally led by Greene and Evin Thompson.
Howard Community College cut the deficit to nine points with two minutes remaining. Rebounds from Eby and Jordan Noel kept the Dragons within range, and Thompson’s layup with 37 seconds left reduced Kirkwood’s lead to five points.
After Howard used fouls to slow Kirkwood’s offense, the Dragons recovered a loose ball and regained possession with 10 seconds remaining. Igwebe then connected on a corner 3-pointer with four seconds left to cut the Eagles’ lead to 76-74.
Kirkwood Secures the Final Possession
A Howard Community College foul sent Kirkwood’s Trevan Krumrei to the free-throw line. Krumrei missed the ensuing free throw but secured his own rebound, preserving the Eagles’ two-point victory and preventing Howard from getting one final possession.
Kirkwood outscored Howard Community College 43-39 in the second half after the Dragons held the halftime lead. The result ended Howard’s comeback bid against the No. 2 team in NJCAA Division II basketball.
Howard Community College Statistical Leaders
Greene led Howard Community College with 25 points, a career high. Igwebe made four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points and three rebounds, while Thompson recorded 12 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Eby added eight points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Jamar Payen contributed six points and four rebounds off the bench, while Noel recorded crucial rebounds late in the game.
Howard Community College was scheduled to travel to Iowa Falls to face No. 5 Ellsworth Community College on Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. EST.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Howard Community College men’s basketball showed its ability to challenge a highly ranked opponent by leading Kirkwood at halftime and rallying from a 13-point second-half deficit. Greene’s career-high 25 points led the Dragons, while Igwebe’s four 3-pointers and Eby’s 13 rebounds helped keep Howard within striking distance.
The late sequence decided the result. Igwebe’s corner 3-pointer brought Howard within two points, but Krumrei’s offensive rebound after the missed free throw prevented the Dragons from getting one final possession.
Source: Original report
