FREDERICK, Md. - The Hood College men's basketball team turned in its best defensive performance of the year in a 72-58 win over visiting Delaware Valley.

The Blazers held the Aggies to just 31 percent shooting in the game and forced 27 turnovers.

Inside the Box Score

• Nathaniel Christian had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. The sophomore went 6 of 11 shooting.
• Luke Casey ran his streak of double-doubles to three with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
• Mason Wang came off the bench for a dozen points.

How it Happened

• Christian scored five points and Evan Wang added four during an 11-0 run to open the game. The Blazers held Delaware Valley scoreless for nearly five minutes to start the game, forcing three turnovers during that stretch.
• The Aggies chipped away at the lead, but Hood still led 19-16 after a layup by Wang with 7:57 left in the half. Neither team scored again for over four minutes until two free throws by Casey made it 21-16 with 3:47 to go.
• Hood carried a five-point lead into halftime 27-22.
• Delaware Valley scored the first five points after play resumed and tied the game on a pair of foul shots from Alex Matsinye with 18:44 to play.
• Christian followed with five straight points to give the Blazers a 32-27 lead and the Hood never trailed again.
• Christian's flurry sparked a 23-5 run for Hood that resulted in a 52-32 advantage with 11:57 to go in the game after a Kobe Butler layup.
• Delaware Valley chipped away at the lead and a pair of free throws by Matsinye made it 63-54 with 3:16 left.
• Mason Wang stretched the edge back to double figures with free throws at 1:56 and then fed Casey for an exclamation point dunk 22 seconds later.

Notes

• Matsinye led Delaware Valley with 16 points and Damian Washington added 15. Andre' Butler led all players with 17 rebounds.
• Hood made just 4 of 10 free throws in the first half, but picked it up down the stretch and went 15 of 20 in the second half.

Up Next

The Blazers open Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth play on November 29 at 6 p.m.