Owls Close Out Garrett 85-84 in Final Seconds With Thrilling Return to Novak Field House

The Prince George's Community College men's basketball team returned to Novak Field House to host a game for the first time in 640 days on Wednesday night, November 10^th as the Owls took on the Garrett College Lakers. Wednesday's contest was the Lakers 2021-22 season opener while the Owls entered with a 1-1 record following an 87-81 victory over Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology over the weekend. Garrett opened the season following their trip to the NJCAA Division 2 National Championship just last season, which ended in a fourth-place finish for the Lakers. Meanwhile, the Owls missed out on the entire 2020-21 season due to COVID-19.

An intense matchup between two closely-matched teams saw the score tied 12 times throughout the game and 11 total lead changes in a back-and-forth battle. Garrett College led by as many as 5 points early on in the game but never allowed Prince George's to get too far ahead when they regained the lead. That was until a 22-6 run by the Owls midway through the second half which was sparked by a Deonte Cooke (Seat Pleasant, MD/Central) three-pointer put Prince George's in front, 74-61. Cooke recorded four three-pointers over that stretch which brought the crowd to a roar, forcing Garrett to take a timeout. Cooke and freshman Rasheed Dupree (Oxon Hill, MD/KIPP College Prep), who both came off the bench for the Owls, provided a change of pace for Prince George's, helping to spread the offense out which allowed Cooke to capitalize from beyond the arc while Dupree forced his way to the line. Dupree finished the game a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. 

Despite the Owls energizing run, the Lakers were able to stick around and eventually steal the lead with an 11-0 run which was highlighted by a Jhaiden Wilson three-pointer with 1:13 remaining to give his team an 84-83 lead.

Following a missed jumper by the Owls, the Lakers found themselves with the ball with under 30 seconds remaining. An acrobatic steal by Owls sophomore Antonio Marr (Washington DC/Seed School of Washington DC), who was a part of the Lakers 2021 National Tournament team, led to a ferocious dunk from sophomore Keynante Williams (Hyattsville, MD/Rock Creek Christian Academy) to regain the lead for Prince George's, 85-84. After Garrett proceeded to foul the Owls, Prince George's turned the ball over to give possession back to the Lakers with 8 seconds remaining. The Owls forced Garrett into a busted play in the corner as the final seconds ticked away, creating a difficult shot for the Lakers with a chance to win it at the buzzer. Garrett's shot attempt came up short as the Owls sealed the 85-84 victory to move to 2-1 on the year.

Following the game which avenged an 80-79 one-point loss at Garrett College on January 29, 2020, Owls head coach William West had the following to say, "It was great to be back playing at home after such a long time away. Rasheed Dupree and Deonte Cooke put this team on their backs tonight and led us to the victory. It's great to be back playing Owls basketball again."

Coach West has plenty to be excited about after his team's gritty win but will quickly get to work in preparing for their next opponent, Cecil College. Prince George's travels to North East, MD on Saturday to take on the Seahawks. Tipoff is set for 1 o'clock.