McHENRY, Md. - The No. 5 Harford men's basketball team dropped the MD JUCO Championship Game to No. 3 Montgomery on Sunday, 82-71.

Trying for back-to-back titles, the Fighting Owls fell behind early and battled back numerous times, but couldn't hold off the Raptors's title quest. Montgomery won just one conference game last season, but built one of the league's most talented rosters this season with a new coach and won the conference crown for the first time in 24 years.

Montgomery jumped out to a 19-9 lead with three-straight triples, but the Fighting Owls climbed back into the contest with an 8-0 run in the half's final 1:06 to trail just 37-35. The teams traded blows in the second half with Montgomery holding a slim lead throughout the majority of the half before using a quick 9-0 run to pull ahead by 11 with 2:18 left.

Evason Ogbonna and Aaron McDonald both earned All-Tournament recognition. Ogbonna led the team for the second-straight evening with 19 points while McDonald tallied 15. 

The Fighting Owls reached the MD JUCO Championship Game for the third time in the last four seasons, winning last year's title. Harford takes on Baltimore City in the Region XX Semifinals on Feb. 26.