BEL AIR, Md., December 20, 2019 – A seven-game winning streak came to an end for the Monroe College Mustangs men's basketball team on Friday, as the Mustangs fell to Howard Community College, 82-67, as part of the Harford Hoops Classic hosted by Harford Community College at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. The Mustangs fall to 9-3 overall with the loss, while the Dragons improve to 11-2.
 
The game got off to a back-and-forth start, reaching a 12-12 stalemate midway through the first half. The Dragons were able to gain the advantage after that, but the Mustangs kept it close until the Dragons took an eight-point lead late in the half, going into the break with a 34-26 edge in favor of Howard.
 
The Dragons held a big lead throughout much of the second half. Howard was up, 51-36, with 13:21 remaining, but the Mustangs turned it on from there to get back in the game. Six straight points got Monroe within nine. The Dragons were up, 54-44, before a three by Zion Styles and two for Tobias Perkovic made it a five-point game with 10:16 left in regulation. Monroe was down by six with 6:31 to go before the Mustangs scored six straight, capped off with a three-pointer by Juan Felix Rodriguez, to tie the game at 60-60 with 5:54 on the clock.
 
The Dragons regained the lead on a three by Christian Matthews on the next possession, and went on to score seven straight points, eventually going on a 16-1 run to take another sizable lead with just a few minutes left. The Dragons were able to hold on from there to pick up a 15-point win.
 
Rodriguez led the Mustangs with 15 points in the game, adding four steals and four rebounds. Styles and Jabari Merritt matched with 14 points apiece, while Merritt had three assists and five rebounds. Perkovic just missed a double-double with eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
The Mustangs will look to start a new winning streak on Saturday, Dec. 21, when they take on host Harford on the second day of the three-day tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 12 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Mustangs), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).