Raptors Win; Lions Fall to 1-3

by Kyle Sharp

DUNDALK, MD - The CCBC Dundalk Lions opened conference play last night against the Montgomery College Raptors (Takoma Park, Md.).  The Raptors came into Dundalk for their first game of the season, while the Lions opened their season this past weekend, coming in to tonight's contest with a record of 1-2. 

Starting the game with several steals and three-point baskets in the first eight minutes, the Lions dominated all around the court. As the half advanced, fatigue kicked in and the turnovers increased for the Lions. 

An 18-10 Lion's lead would dwindle down to a 2-point lead with seven minutes left to play, 28-26. Three Lion turnovers, and miscommunication with transition defense during the final minutes of the half would result in the Raptors claiming their first lead of the game, going into halftime up 43-42 over the Lions.

Halftime was not enough for the Lions to claw their way back into this matchup with the Raptors going on a 13-3 run in the first five minutes of the second half. 

Raptors hit basket after basket, taking a 72-52 lead over the Lions and taking the home crowd out of the game. 

The Raptors took control of the game and took their first win of the season over the Lions, 93-74. 

"We didn't execute defensively, which allowed them to stay in the game," head coach Jaron Taylor said. "This (first half) was the best half we've had offensively, but then we weren't able to secure a quality lead because defensively we didn't show up." 

"Once you get behind big, guys will try to make plays on their own... that causes tension because players are going outside the (practiced) offense," Taylor said.

The CCBC Dundalk Lions (1-3) return to action this Friday at the Howard Community College Dragon Invitational in Columbia, Md. Tipoff is scheduled for 5pm.