Raptors Lose to Catamounts

The Montgomery College Raptors faced a tough battle in the first half against the Potomac State Catamounts, ultimately struggling to keep up with the high-paced offense of their opponents.

The game began with an early steal by Jordan Alphonso, who converted it into a layup to put the Raptors on the board. However, Potomac State quickly answered back with a layup from Andre Grant, setting the tone for a fast-paced contest. Despite aggressive defensive efforts, Montgomery College found themselves struggling with missed shots and turnovers. Mateusz Szpin and Isaiah Gill worked hard on the boards, but the Raptors' shooting woes allowed the Catamounts to build an early lead. Damian Thompson and Camren Wilkes capitalized on Montgomery's mistakes, draining key three-pointers and extending Potomac State's advantage. By the 10-minute mark, the Raptors trailed 16-30, despite valiant efforts from Ibrahim Abdulmateen and Christopher Levy. As the half progressed, Potomac State continued to control the tempo. Their efficient ball movement and strong rebounding prevented Montgomery from gaining any momentum. The Raptors had bright moments, including a three-pointer from Gill and a layup from Franklin Ayissi-Etoh, but every time they found a spark, the Catamounts had an answer. Potomac State's aggressive play led to a significant halftime deficit for Montgomery College. The first half concluded with the Raptors down by a substantial margin, as Potomac State maintained their dominance on both ends of the floor. Despite a few late defensive stops and free throws from Isaiah Renaud, Montgomery College entered the break with a mountain to climb in the second half. The Raptors would need a major turnaround to fight back and reclaim control of the game.

In the second half, Montgomery College came out with renewed energy, looking to chip away at Potomac State's lead. Isaiah Gill opened the half with a mid-range jumper, but the Catamounts quickly responded with a transition three-pointer from Damian Thompson, keeping the Raptors at bay. Determined to turn the tide, Montgomery ramped up their defensive intensity. Ibrahim Abdulmateen forced a turnover that led to an easy layup by Christopher Levy, igniting a small run for the Raptors. Franklin Ayissi-Etoh followed up with a strong drive to the basket, drawing a foul and converting both free throws to cut the deficit to 12. However, Potomac State's composure remained unshaken, as Andre Grant and Camren Wilkes continued to find openings in Montgomery's defense, extending their lead once again. Midway through the second half, the Raptors found their most promising stretch. Mateusz Szpin controlled the boards, limiting Potomac's second-chance opportunities. With eight minutes left on the clock, the Raptors had trimmed the lead to single digits, putting pressure on the Catamounts. However, just as Montgomery seemed poised for a comeback, Potomac State responded with a decisive push. Through a turn of unnatural events, including scoreboard malfunctions and five technical fouls called on the Raptors—from the coaching staff to the players—their comeback became virtually impossible. Despite a late surge from Montgomery, including key baskets and defensive stops from Alphonso and Pascal, Potomac State's consistent free-throw shooting ensured the Raptors never got within striking distance.

The final buzzer sounded with Potomac State securing a controversial victory, leaving Montgomery College to reflect on their struggles and bright moments as they look ahead to their next challenge.