BEL AIR, Md. — The Harford Community College men's basketball team continued a strong stretch of play Wednesday night at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena, defeating the CCBC Catonsville Cardinals 86-70 to earn its third straight win and fourth in the last six games.
Harford improved to 9-10 overall and 5-4 in the Maryland Juco Athletic Conference, while Catonsville fell to 5-11, 1-5.
Both Harford and Catonsville battled early in the first half, but the Fighting Owls steadily chipped away and took control before intermission. Harford outscored the Cardinals 41-29 in the first half, fueled by balanced scoring and timely defense that limited Catonsville's open looks.
Freshman guard Justus Stanton (Newtown H.S.) paced Harford with a career-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including a strong presence inside the arc and key buckets to maintain momentum throughout the contest. His aggressive play helped the Fighting Owls create second-chance opportunities and kept the offense flowing when Catonsville applied defensive pressure.
"I keep my life very consistent with everything I do," Stanton said. "Sleeping eating, working out, lifting and stretching. I had a great stretch and a great shoot around before the game. It was just bound to happen."
Sophomore guard Tre Powell (Rockville, Md.) also scored 22 points, connecting on seven three-pointers, tying him for first in NJCAA Division I with 66 on the season. Powell's perimeter shooting stretched the defense and sparked crucial runs for the Fighting Owls; his accuracy from deep in the second half energized Harford's offense and helped build a double-digit cushion.
Harford shot a balanced 45.9% from the floor and 53.6% from three-point range, with Powell's efficiency from behind the arc a major factor in those numbers. The Fighting Owls also made 15 of 28 free throws to keep pressure on Catonsville late and seal the advantage.
Freshman Theo Hess (Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia) added 11 points, hitting shots at key junctures, while sophomore Anthony "Tony" Pope (Gwynn Park H.S.) contributed 11 points and provided consistency off the bench. Freshman Kehdinga "Junior" Tutuwan (Silver Spring, Md.) chipped in nine points, giving Harford valuable support in transition and late shot opportunities.
Defensively, the Fighting Owls rotated well and contested Catonsville shooters throughout the night. Harford held the Cardinals to 42.4% from the field and limited them to only nine three-pointers on 22 attempts. Catonsville's top scorers, including Yassir Supreme and Kamren Hayes, combined for 38 of the Cardinals' 70 points, but neither was able to spark a rally against Harford's pressure defense and balanced attack.
In the second half, the Owls continued to assert themselves. Harford outpaced Catonsville 45-41 after intermission, with the offense clicking in flow and executing in transition opportunities. Powell's hot shooting from deep was a defining element of Harford's surge, as he drilled several long-range attempts that kept the Cardinals within reach but unable to cut the lead.
"I think they were very important shots for the flow of the game," Powell said of his second half shooting. "With Catonsville not wanting to give in, which we knew going into the game, I was locked in to closing it out and trying to stay laser focused."
Harford's rebounding edge and ability to limit second-chance points helped them maintain control down the stretch. The Fighting Owls finished with 35 rebounds to Catonsville's 33, and they capitalized on turnovers with 17 points off miscues. Bench scoring was also a strength for Harford, as reserves contributed 39 points to provide depth and steady play throughout the contest.
With this win, Harford has now won three in a row, highlighting balanced scoring, improved shooting from deep and strong defensive rotations. The Fighting Owls' ability to share the ball and create efficient shot opportunities underscored their offensive success and steadied their performance over the final 20 minutes.
Harford returns to action tomorrow night on the road against Baltimore City Community College, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m..
