Raptors Overcome Half Time Deficit to Secure Playoff Win

Rockville, MD – Hosting the first round of NJCAA Region XX playoffs against sixth-seeded Garrett College, the Montgomery College Raptors overcame slow start and half-time deficit to secure a 67-60 victory and advance to the Region XX Semifinals.  

The quarterfinal started as a cagey affair, with both teams trading points as Garrett College built a two-point lead through eleven minutes. Then a Raptors cold streak from the floor, combined with strong defensive rebounding from Garrett, saw the Lakers build an eleven-point lead with just under five minutes left. The Raptors rallied late in the first half, finding their range from the three-point line and the free throw line to whittle the Laker lead to three going into the intermission.  

The game stayed tight in the second half, with Garrett maintaining its narrow lead. Finally, at the 4:12 mark, a layup from Sophomore Point Guard Marlon Pratt saw the Raptors take their first lead of the game, 51-49. Immediately after, a three-pointer from Freshman Guard Marquise Trent expanded the lead to four. Muhammad Abdulmateen maintained the momentum, with two offensive boards leading to another four points. With three minutes and thirty seconds left, the Raptors led by six, 58-52. The Raptors would hold on their lead and secure the victory 67-60.  

• Muhammad Abdulmateen led the team with 21 points, he also added 8 rebounds 

• Marquise Trent led scoring off the bench, coming on to grab thirteen points  

• This was the second meeting between the teams this season, with Garrett College winning the regular season matchup by 6.  

• The Raptors next face Cecil College, who won in their one other game this season by 17.