Owls Edge NOVA On The Road in Season Opener

After an impressive 2018-19 campaign, Prince George's men's basketball entered the 2019-20 season ranked number 10 in the nation in preseason polls among NJCAA Division III institutions. The Owls didn't disappoint as sophomore forward Isaiah Miles knocked down the go-ahead bucket with just two seconds remaining on the road against NOVA to give his team the 71-69 win on Friday evening, November 1^st.

The Owls exploded for a 9-0 run following the opening tipoff that stretched almost four minutes into the contest before surrendering their first points to the Nighthawks. The rest of the first half was back and forth as both squads traded baskets. NOVA led by as many as seven points with only two minutes remaining in the half but the Owls were able to cut into the Nighthawks lead to head into halftime trailing 37-41. Returning sophomore Tunde Scrivner led the Owls in scoring at the break, pouring in 15 points while grabbing 4 rebounds.

Prince George's came out slow in the second half, struggling with turnovers and were unable to find the basket until almost five minutes into the half when David Burriss threw down a dunk to bring the score to 39-45. The Owls continued to close in on NOVA's lead but the Nighthawks refused to budge as they hit three straight three-pointers in response to again lead by seven with under eleven minutes left to play.

The Owls continued to have problems with ball security, committing seventeen total second half turnovers but held strong on their own defensive end. With the Owls forcing NOVA to take difficult shots resulting in a shooting percentage below 31 percent for the half, they took advantage in closing the gap down the stretch. Prince George's was able to even the score at 69 with a successful Devin Hill and one free throw with 2:22 remaining in the game. With sloppy play by both teams in the closing minutes it appeared as if the Owls season opener was heading to overtime. Then with only two seconds remaining, Miles rose to the occasion and hit the game winning shot to regain the lead for the first time since the 6:45 mark in the first half, giving the Owls the 71-69 victory.