FREDERICK, Md. – Men's basketball trailed early and pushed in the second half in attempt to escape the home loss but were defeated by conference foe Widener 82-78 in Woodsboro Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Inside the Box Score

Jude Huseby dropped a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds on the day.

Kullen Robinson scored 19 going 9-for-15 from the field.

Jack Fricka scored 13 points seven rebounds and four assists.

How it Happened

The Blazers unveiled their 2023-24 NCAA Banner to celebrate their second appearance in program history pregame of the matchup, which create mixed reactions from the opposing bench with numerous appearances to their name.

The name of the game was to show dominance in the paint and play more physical than Widener's Daulerio and Dodson.

The absence of Garrett Cox along with the illness on the roster in the winter season would not promote this well as other bigs for the Blazers would need to pick up slack. This point marks the greatest number of ailments the team has carried in recent history.

Huseby and Fricka would show productivity on the defensive end grabbing boards left and right. This physicality came at a cost of early personal fouls and a softer core to allow blue jerseys to fly in a take charge.

Mallory the only member of Hood to connect from deep in the first 10 minutes, including his first that he received in tight coverage but leaned back and hit the deep fly.

Huseby lost a ball, and it rolled 15 feet on the chase but looked up and found Fricka flying down the court for the easy bucket to close within seven.

Another technical would be issued, this time onward the Widener bench and the gap would close to five after two awarded free throws.

With all the pluses in the first half, the turnovers at the top of the key via lost ball scenarios turned into fastbreak points and the deficit to continue to strain the Blazers.

The second half started with the Blazers slowing it down, working the middle of the floor. Huseby received the ball near the foul line and made turnaround jumpers on back-to-back possessions.

Widener responded with the three to keep the Blazers away but with cleaner basketball and Kullen Robinson converting on the fastbreak, Hood stayed in striking distance of the Pride.

Soren Almquist checked in and drew a foul on the offensive end and what followed by a bucket. On the defensive end, he drew the charge and sent some energy in the arena.

The Pride continued to get good shots at the perimeter to keep the heat off a Blazers squad who frequently create separation in the second half.

The Blazers would push within five after a late interception by Troy Fulton that would turn into a pair of made free throws after getting fouled on the fastbreak.

With three minutes remaining, the visitors would slow down their game and chew clock and take the ball out of Blazers hands.

Widener was able to break the press but needed one more pass it hit the dagger, instead a pickpocket by Fricka turned into an outlet pass to Robinson and one-on-one won his matchup and a made bucket put the score at 80-78 Pride.

They would take a timeout and bring the ball to their attacking side with the two-point lead and 30 seconds to go. The ball fly in and then out of the hands of Daulerio in a failed attempt to him down low and another timeout would be taken by Widener.

The attempt to extend would go no good and rebounded by Kullen and the Blazers. An attempt to tie was taken out of the hands of Jevon Yarbrough and Hood would inbound underneath the basket with 16 seconds left in regulation.

The inbound would take place and Robinson would have the last shot, his one-handed floater found glass, and rim twice, but would fall out and time would expire.

"Really disappointed with our energy and intensity in the first half," said head coach Chad Dickman. "But, proud of how we responded and fought in the second half."

"Hopefully, we can get back to full strength soon and build some momentum going into the conference playoffs. We know how good we can be, but the final scores don't lie, and we need to get back on track ASAP."

Analysis

Widener led for over 90 percent of the matchup.

Hood went 11-for-17 from the line.

Hood shot almost 48 percent from the field in the second half compared to its 35 in the first.

For the Opponent

Matt Daulerio scored 22 and went a perfect 11-for-11 from the line.

Notes

Hood falls to 14-7, 7-3 in the conference.

Widener 7-14, 5-5 in conference play.

Up Next

The squad travels to Stevenson for a 7 p.m. tip-off in Owings Mill next Wednesday, February 12.