Howard CC Holds Off Essex for Road Win in Newark

NEWARK, NJ- Essex County College showed grit and resilience Tuesday night but came up short in a 74–67 loss to Howard Community College in conference action.

The Wolverines (7–10, 3–3) fought back multiple times after falling behind early, using defensive pressure and hustle to stay within reach. Ethan Laquindanum led Essex with a team-high 18 points, attacking the lane consistently while adding five assists in a strong all-around effort. His steady play kept Essex competitive throughout the contest.

Inside, Rodney Willis Jr. provided a physical presence, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds to anchor the Wolverines on the glass. His five offensive rebounds created second-chance opportunities and helped Essex control stretches of the paint.

Essex also received contributions from the perimeter, as Jason Martinez scored 10 points and added four assists and three steals, while Francis Demfack Tatanfack and Carl Matala each knocked down two three-pointers to spark the offense.

The Wolverines' defense forced 24 Howard turnovers, but shooting inconsistencies ultimately proved costly, as Essex finished 41.5 percent from the field and 7-of-12 at the free-throw line. Despite the challenges, Essex remained within single digits late before Howard pulled away in the final minutes.

The next game will be away at Rockland Community College at 7pm on Thursday January 15th.