BALTIMORE, Md.--The Hood College women's basketball team (0-2) suffered a narrow 43-42 defeat at the hands of the Averett University Cougars (1-1) in the consolation final of the Durgala Memorial Tournament hosted by Johns Hopkins University Sunday.

The Cougars, who owned a 19-16 edge at halftime, led by as many as 11 with 13:20 to go in the second half following a basket by Shannon Smith, but Hood would not go away quietly. The Blazers closed to within one with 4:23 to play in regulation after Briana Lee converted an old-fashioned three-point play. Averett turned the ball over on its next possession and Kaneshia Slade fouled Hood's Rachel Wiley who went to the line to shoot the double bonus. Wiley hit both foul shots to put the Blazers on top, 39-38, with less than four minutes to play.

Wiley came up big on the defensive end as well, stealing the ball from Averett's Kyana Smith. Heather Boyce then dished her only assist of the afternoon to Jessica Talley who nailed a jumper to make it a three-point advantage for Hood. Momentum then shifted the Cougars' way as Smith and Mette Scheiman hit consecutive layups to make it 43-41 Averett with 2:19 left.

Talley was fouled on Hood's next possession and went to the line for two. She made the first but missed the second and Slade pulled down the rebound for Averett. Neither squad was able to finish on the next three exchanges but Hood managed to regain possession with 35 seconds left. A three-pointer by Boyce was off the mark and Slade grabbed the board for the Cougars. Talley then picked the pocket of Shannon Smith and Hood called timeout with seven seconds left to set up the go-ahead bucket. Boyce launched another three as time expired which rimmed out and the Cougars held on for their first win of the season.

Dyanna Prater pumped in 11 points for Hood and represented the Blazers on the all-tournament team. Wiley finished with eight points, a team-high 10 rebounds and blocked three shots. Boyce chipped in nine points and four rebounds while Talley and Lee netted five points apiece.

Hood hits the road once again Tuesday for a nonconference tilt at Waynesburg University at 4 p.m.