BEL AIR, Md. — The Harford Community College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to six games and secured its eighth victory in the last 10 contests with a 66-48 win over CCBC Catonsville last night at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena.
Harford (10-5, 8-2 Maryland Juco) relied on a balanced offensive effort and a dominant second half to pull away from the Cardinals (8-7, 4-2). The Fighting Owls strengthened their position in the conference standings and continued their strong stretch of play heading into Thursday's road game at Baltimore City Community College, scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip off.
Sanaiya Edmond (Paint Branch H.S.) led all scorers with a career-high 25 points, shooting 11-for-24 from the field while adding nine rebounds in a complete performance. Edmond consistently attacked the basket and provided steady scoring throughout the contest to pace the Harford offense.
"To be honest, mainly just understanding that my opponent could not stand in front of me at that point," Edmond replied when asked what enabled her to hit so many shots. "It was a lot. Catonsville was applying a lot of pressure. But it was also knowing I had my shooters. That took a lot of pressure off of me, especially when I would drive because Catonsville was then worried about me getting the ball to our outside shooters."
Harford head coach Marvin Evans was impressed with Edmond as well.
"All year, we've been challenging [Sanaiya] to make that one more pass more consistently when it's there," Evans said. "And tonight, she was doing the best that we've seen her do with balancing, attacking and making that one more pass."
Caryne Nelson (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 20 rebounds, anchoring Harford's control on the glass. Amya Goodsell (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) also finished with a double-double, tallying 11 points and 13 rebounds, as the Fighting Owls dominated second-chance opportunities and controlled the paint.
Harford held a narrow 27-26 advantage at halftime before taking control in the second half. The Fighting Owls outscored Catonsville 18-9 in the third quarter and added a 21-13 edge in the fourth to secure the win.
First Half
The opening quarter featured a tightly contested match up, with both teams exchanging baskets and defensive stops. Harford shot 28.6 percent in the first quarter but stayed even with Catonsville, as the teams were tied 14-14 at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, Harford tightened its defensive pressure and limited Catonsville's scoring opportunities. Edmond scored eight points in the period, while Goodsell contributed on the boards to keep possessions alive. The Fighting Owls entered halftime with a one-point lead after holding the Cardinals to 12 points in the quarter.
Second Half
Harford seized momentum in the third quarter behind strong rebounding and improved offensive execution. Edmond continued her scoring surge, while Nelson and Goodsell controlled the interior. The Fighting Owls out-rebounded Catonsville 52-46 for the game and began to create separation by forcing turnovers and converting on the offensive end.
Catonsville struggled to generate consistent offense, particularly from long range, and was limited to just one made three-pointer on the night. Harford capitalized on defensive pressure, forcing 22 Cardinal turnovers and converting them into 21 points.
By the end of the third quarter, Harford had built a 45-35 lead. The Fighting Owls maintained control throughout the fourth quarter, using disciplined defense and efficient scoring to prevent any sustained Cardinal rally.
Key Performances
Edmond's 25 points marked the highest scoring output of her collegiate career, and her nine rebounds complemented her offensive production. Nelson's 20 rebounds led all players, providing a significant edge in the rebounding battle, while Goodsell's 11 points and 13 rebounds highlighted Harford's balanced front court play.
Ayca Kazak (Samsun, Turkey) added 18 points off the bench, supplying a scoring boost and helping Harford maintain momentum during key stretches. Nehir Safkan (Mersin, Turkey) contributed six assists, facilitating ball movement and creating scoring opportunities for teammates.
By the Numbers
Harford finished the game shooting 34.7 percent from the field and 58.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Fighting Owls held a rebounding advantage and limited Catonsville to 28.2 percent shooting overall. The Cardinals went 1-for-18 from three-point range and struggled to establish offensive rhythm against Harford's defensive pressure.
Up Next
With the win, Harford improved to 8-2 in conference play and continued its strong run of form. The Fighting Owls return to action Thursday on the road at Baltimore City Community College, with tipoff scheduled for 5 p.m.
