FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College women's basketball team (7-8, 2-6 CAC) started out strong on Wednesday evening but was unable to hang on as they fell to the University of Mary Washington (Va.) Eagles (11-5, 7-1 CAC), 53-23, in the Odom Fitness Center at Fort Detrick.

Hood immediately started the scoring, proving their abilities from behind the arc as first-year Briana White nailed a three-pointer in the opening minute of the game. White received help from fellow sharpshooters senior Allyson Lethbridge and sophomore Emily Maerz who also added three-pointers shortly thereafter. With 6:52 remaining in the first half, Hood led Mary Washington 17-10 after shooting 50 percent overall. The Blazers twice held margins of up to seven points in the first half but the Eagles continued to battle back relentlessly, chipping away at the lead with a pair of baskets from Katie Wimmer and Jenna McRae before ending the half up, 18-17.

The basket by Dyanna Prater that pushed Hood's total to 17 would be the last bucket the Blazers saw until the 1:02 mark of the second half. Hood added three free throws in the second period as the Eagles outscored the Blazers 35-6 in the final 20 minutes. The Eagles applied immediate pressure at the onset of the second half and forced a number of Blazer turnovers which they capitalized on. Shooting 48.5 percent from the floor, the Eagles continued to score despite numerous attempts by the Blazers to cut the deficit and regain the lead.

White knocked down a pair of treys for six points while Maerz and Lethbridge added five points apiece. Maerz also pulled down a career-best eight rebounds on the night.

Hood hits the road Saturday for a CAC matchup at Wesley College at 2 p.m.