BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford men's basketball team clinched a spot in the MD JUCO Tournament with an 89-78 victory over Prince George's on Wednesday. The Fighting Owls led throughout and pulled away late for the important win.

Harford jumped out to a 17-6 lead and led by as many as 18 in the first half en route to a 45-34 halftime lead. The PG Owls forced Harford into numerous turnovers and bad shots early in the second half and chipped away at the Fighting Owl lead. Prince George's knotted the score at 55-55 with 13:12 remaining, but the Fighting Owls never relinquished the lead and responded with an 11-2 run to regain control and roll to the win.

Exzavier Cooper led Harford with a 23-point, 15-rebound effort. He shot 11-of-18 and blocked two shots in the win. Brandon Spain chipped in with 20 points, a career-high seven steals and five assists while Jon Warren added 13 points and 11 caroms for the Fighting Owls.

The win improves Harford's MD JUCO record to 9-5 and locks the Fighting Owls into the quarterfinals of next Friday's MD JUCO Tournament. The Fighting Owls will either be the No. 5, 6 or No. 7 seed.