Cardinals Hang On Against Tough NOVA Squad

CCBC Catonsville's men's basketball team held off a tough Northern Virginia Community College squad on Monday night, scoring a 93-71 win.

In a crucial match for Region 20 playoff seeding, the Cardinals pulled away from a NOVA team that wouldn't quit in the second half. Behind ten three-pointers and a solid defensive effort in the second half, the Cardinals secured their seventeenth win this year.

Things started strong for the Cardinals as they built up a 15-3 lead in the first half. NOVA would fight back, pulling to within three points with seven minutes to go in the half. The Nighthawks took advantage of Cardinal turnovers and missed shots, but could never take the lead. Catonsville held a slim 41-39 advantage entering the half.

The second half was all Cardinals. Catonsville pulled out to a 20-point lead behind a flurry of three-point shots from sophomore forward Murray Grant (Obra D. Tomkins). The Cardinals' defense recorded nine steals and forced eight turnovers as they pulled away from NOVA. The win was crucial for the Cardinals' playoff scenario, as Catonsville is currently in a three-way tie for first place in Region 20.

Grant was the leading scorer for the Cardinals with 22 points, including four threes. Sophomore forward Albright Obode (Plainfield) finished with another double-double, scoring 15 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. Sophomore forward Jason Ogbolu (Calvert Hall) added ten points, while freshman guard Micah Morgan (West Nottingham) added ten points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Next up for the Cardinals is a clash with Monroe College on Tuesday, February 20.