ABERDEEN, Md. - A total team effort was the key to Harford's men's basketball Think Pink victory on Friday. The Fighting Owls (5-14, 2-8) knocked out a top-tier conference team Southern Maryland (11-6, 5-3), 88-78.

The Fighting Owls controlled the contest from start to finish with a good mix of inside and outside dominance. After falling behind 11-4 early after a quick spurt keyed by the visitor's pressure, head coach Brian Selby calmed his young squad down and drew up a press break that got the Fighting Owls focused on the win.

Harford led 43-39 at the break, thanks to a balanced offensive attack. Dimitrious Jelen-Joy, who was one of two Fighting Owls with at least 20 points, buried three triples in the opening frame, and Ka-Ron Richardson broke the press with ease and knifed the lane for easy buckets. The duo combined for 41 points in the win.

Roger Schuman recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-best 14 rebounds. Richardson also added 14 rebounds to go along with his game-high 21 points. Keegan Harper and Carlos Brown chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Harford led for all but 10 seconds in the second half. The Fighting Owls built a double-digit lead, but the Hawks clawed back into it midway through the second frame. They took a 60-59 lead on a triple by Brian Dixon, however, Harford regaine the lead for good on an easy lay-up from Tyler Campbell off an assist from Dwyane McGill.

The Fighting Owls wore pink shoelaces throughout the contest and the teams played with a pink basketball, all in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer. Selby stole the show with his all pink suit with a pink tie. The department had numerous contests for the fans to raise money for Cancer Life Net.