BEL AIR, Md. — Harford Community College women's basketball continued its historic run last night at APGFCU Arena, rolling past Allegany College of Maryland, 80–38, to secure its 10th consecutive victory.
The win marked Harford's first double-digit winning streak in seven seasons and was powered by a dominant all-around performance from Amya Goodsell (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), who recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals.
"I'm just [out on the court] having fun. I didn't even realize I had that many steals and rebounds until about halftime," Goodsell said. "I decided to go out in the second half and try to get the rebounds to complete the triple double. But other than that, I was just playing free and having fun."
Goodsell's effort set the tone on both ends of the floor as the Fighting Owls controlled the game from the opening tip. Something that is not lost on Fighting Owls head coach Marvin Evans.
"She plays so hard that she could pretty much get near a triple double every game," Evans said of Goodsell. "Amya does her job, constantly takes charge, gets steals, blocks shots. She is the heart of the defense and she makes us go."
Harford (14-5, 12-2 Maryland JUCO Athletic Conference) wasted little time establishing separation, jumping out to a 21–7 lead after the first quarter. The Fighting Owls forced Allegany into repeated turnovers with aggressive on-ball pressure and converted those miscues into early scoring opportunities, building momentum that carried through the remainder of the contest.
The defensive pressure intensified in the second quarter, as Harford outscored the Trojans 25–11 to take a commanding 46–16 lead into halftime. Allegany (1-14, 0-8) struggled to find clean looks against Harford's active hands and disciplined rotations, while the Owls consistently turned stops into transition baskets. By the break, Harford had already built a significant advantage in points off turnovers and held Allegany well below its season scoring average.
Goodsell was a constant presence throughout the first half, contributing on the glass and in the passing lanes while finishing efficiently around the basket. Her rebounding helped Harford control the paint, while her steals fueled the Fighting Owls' transition attack. Harford's interior play also led to a sizable edge in points in the paint, as the Fighting Owls repeatedly capitalized on second-chance opportunities.
Harford put the game firmly out of reach in the third quarter, opening the half with another defensive surge. The Fighting Owls outscored Allegany 29–6 in the period, extending the margin beyond 50 points and showcasing their depth and balance. Allegany managed only a handful of field goals in the quarter, while Harford continued to push the pace and share the ball on the offensive end.
The Fighting Owls' defensive effort was consistent across all four quarters, limiting Allegany to 38 points on the night and holding the Trojans to 25 percent shooting from the field. Harford's pressure resulted in a lopsided advantage in points off turnovers, as the Fighting Owls repeatedly converted steals into immediate scoring chances while allowing Allegany just one point in that category.
Despite the margin, Harford maintained its composure in the fourth quarter, continuing to defend and rebound while working through its offensive sets. The Fighting Owls closed the game by outscoring Allegany 14-5 in the final period, preserving the commanding lead and securing the milestone victory.
In addition to Goodsell's triple-double, Harford benefited from balanced scoring throughout the lineup, with multiple players scoring in double figures.
Nehir Safkan (Mersin, Turkey) finished with a game-high 25 points on 60% shooting (12-20) from the field. Ayca Kazak (Samsun, Turkey) and Destaney Harris (Loch Raven H.S.) had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kazak also chipped in seven rebounds. While Caryne Nelson (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) finished with just six points, she made her presence known by pulling down a team-high 13 rebounds.
Rebounding was a huge factor, as Harford consistently won the battle on the boards, limiting Allegany to few second-chance opportunities. The Owls' defensive rebounding helped ignite fast breaks, while their offensive boards extended possessions and wore down the Trojans over the course of the game.
The win further solidified Harford's position near the top of the Maryland JUCO Athletic Conference standings and underscored the consistency the Fighting Owls have shown during their current stretch. Over the past 10 games, Harford has relied on defensive intensity, balanced scoring and unselfish play to string together its longest winning streak since the 2018-19 season.
Harford will look to keep the momentum going later today when it travels to Frederick Community College for a 3 p.m. tip-off. The Fighting Owls will then return home on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to host Monroe University at APGFCU Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m.
