HAWKS SAVE BEST FOR LAST IN WIN OVER HOWARD

February 2, 2005 - After two close losses, the CSM men's basketball team played their best game of the year, defeating Howard 81-67 in the Hawks final home game of the season.  The three sophomores playing their final home game helped lead the way, as Patrick Harper and Tim Bowie made key plays down the stretch, and Maurice Parker had his best game of the year scoring 15 points. 

    All six CSM players finished in double figures, with Joe Flegler leading the way with 17 pts., followed by Justin Jackson and Maurice Parker with 15, Patrick Harper with 13, Tim Bowie with 12, and Lamar Bently with 10.

    CSM (4-18, 2-11) jumped in front early and maintained an eight to ten point lead most of the half, leading at the break 41-33.  Maurice Parker had one of his best performances of the season leading the Hawks with 13 points, including two 3 pointers, and Justin Jackson added 9 pts.

    Dallas Davidson led Howard (2-18, 2-9) with 12 points, most of them from inside.

    The Dragons made a run at the Hawks early in the second half, outscoring CSM 16-9 to start the half.  A three point play by T.J. Odunlami, followed by a 3 pointer by Sam Eligwe cut the Hawks lead to 52-49 with 12:00 left in the game.

    With Howard in possession and threatening to cut further into the lead, sophomore Patrick Harper, grabbed a Dragon miss and went coast to coast to lay it in and give the Hawks some breathing room at 54-49. 

    The Hawks then went on a 13-5 run over the next seven minutes to put the game out of reach. 

    With the Hawks up by just eight, sophomore Tim Bowie stole the ball and dunked it, and then followed up moments later with a three pointer to give the Hawks a comfortable 13 point lead. 

    Dallas Davidson, Warren Christian, and B.O. Akinyanju all had 14 points to lead Howard.

    The three CSM sophomores playing their final home game were honored before the game, and gave flowers to their mothers, and t-shirts to their Dad's.

    Although the home season is complete, the Hawks still have several road games left, beginning Saturday at Germantown (7:00 PM), and continuing on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Cecil (7:00 PM), the fourth ranked team in the country.