BEL AIR, Md. – Harford Community College men's basketball earned a hard-fought 54-52 victory over the Richard Bland College last night in its home opener at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena, improving to 3-0 on the season while handing Richard Bland (1-1) its first loss of the season. 

Harford grabbed a narrow lead at halftime, 26-25, and managed to hold off a late surge by the Statesmen in the second half to clinch the win. 

Senior guard Tre Powell (Rockville, Md.) spearheaded the Fighting Owls' charge, pouring in 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, in 30 minutes of action. Powell knocked down a critical jumper with 48 seconds remaining to give Harford the one-point cushion at 26-25 in the opening half and later sealed the outcome with a go-ahead field goal near the final minute. 

Forward Israel Bosenge (Democratic Republic of the Congo) added 10 points, going 5-of-8 from the field and contributing four rebounds and two steals, giving the Fighting Owls balance on both ends of the floor. 

Harford's path to victory was far from easy. The Statesmen's Doyle Brown and Andy Ramirez combined for 39 points — Brown with 20 (7-of-17 FG) and Ramirez with 19 (5-of-11 FG, 9-of-12 from the line). They were both active on the boards, with Ramirez grabbing 13 rebounds. 

The first half featured a back-and-forth battle until Harford took its first lead at 14-13 after Powell's three-pointer with 7:34 left. From there the Fighting Owls extended the margin to 18-10 before heading into the break up 26-25. Harford shot 11-of-26 (42.3 %) and hit 3-of-9 from three in the first half, while Richard Bland shot 8-of-19 (42.1 %) and 2-of-5 from deep. 

In the second half, Harford maintained composure as the Statesmen kept probing. The Fighting Owls again scored 11 times from field goals, finishing 11-of-25 (44.0 %) while hitting 3-of-10 from three and converting just one of two free throws. 

A key stretch came when Harford went on a 10-0 run to push its lead to 38-31.

Bosenge scored back-to-back layups to give Harford breathing room. However, Richard Bland answered with five straight, cutting the lead to two. It was Powell who then drained his second 3-pointer of the half to push the Owls ahead 41-34 with 9:45 left. 

In the last minute, the tension ratcheted up. With the game tied 48-48, Roy Palmer (Potomac) knocked down a free throw to make it 49-48 Harford. Brown responded with a trey to give Richard Bland a 50-49 edge, but Powell countered with a jumper with 0:48 left to put Harford ahead 51-50.

Harford's defense bent but did not break, holding the Statesmen to 17 turnovers and converting 28 points off those miscues, compared to 17 point off turnovers for Richard Bland. 

With the win, Harford moves to 3-0 and appears poised for its schedule ahead. The Fighting Owls will next head to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania next Wednesday to face Harcum College before returning on Friday, Nov. 14 to open Maryland Juco Conference play, hosting Garrett College.

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