BEL AIR, Md. – The Fighting Owls faced their first true test of the season Friday and passed, fending off the Union County Owls, 78-69, on night one of the Harford Hoops Classic.

On a night where both teams battled with foul trouble, freshman guard Kelvajha Foster went for a career high 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. Fellow frosh Jada Lake chipped in 15, while Tsahai Corbie and Aniya Vaughns had 12 each.

Harford improves to 5-0 with the victory, while Union County slumps to 6-2.

Turning Point
Union County, who finished as the NJCAA DII National Tournament runner-ups last year, gave a short-handed Harford side all they could handle throughout the game.

A back-and-forth battle through three quarters saw the Fighting Owls hold on to a small lead throughout most of the game. The other Owls tied the score at 62-62 at the under seven mark in the fourth, but Harford put them away by outscoring Union County 16-7 from that point forward.

Jaelyne Deveaux led all players with six points during this stretch, all of which stemmed from free throws.

Box Score Highlights

• Zaria Newson came through in key defensive moments of the fourth for Harford and ended the night with six points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
• Foster led all players with eight rebounds. She also tied Demeya Felder with the team high for assists (three).
• Harford pulled down at least 40 rebounds for the fifth straight contest.
• The Fighting Owls made a season high 26 free throws.
• Union County and Harford combined for 59 fouls, with both teams attempting 42 free throws each.

Up Next
Harford turns around tomorrow to play against Monroe College in the night cap of Saturday's Harford Hoops Classic.

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