STEVENSON, Md.—The Hood College women's basketball team (2-2, 1-0 Commonwealth) defeated a familiar foe in Stevenson University (2-1, 0-1 Commonwealth) 67-53 in the first conference game for both teams. The win ended a three-game losing streak in the series against Stevenson and more importantly gave Hood a winning start in conference play.
The Blazers were led by senior guard Dyanna Prater. Prater scored 19 points on 7-13 shooting, while also distributing five assists and adding five steals. Freshman forward Rachel Kessler also hit double-digits, as she scored 12 points on 6-11 shooting. Stevenson was led by substitute Kayla Kelly with ten points on 5-10 shooting. The Blazers as a team shot 44 percent from the floor, while Stevenson was held to just 25 percent shooting with Hood's defensive effort very high all night.
The Blazers used a strong first half performance to build a nine point lead at intermission. Both teams traded baskets for the first ten minutes of the game with points hard to come by. Hood went on a 9-0 run over the next two minutes with freshman Verkia Smith scoring the first five points of the run. Senior Emily Maerz hit a three point shot with just under a minute remaining in the half and Kessler hit a late layup to give Hood a nine point lead going into the break.
Stevenson fought hard to begin the second half and brought the Blazer lead to five after a Kayleigh Guzek shot at the 14:46 mark of the second half. Five was as close as the Mustangs would get though. Hood went on an 18-8 run after the Guzek jumper that put the Blazers in firm command of the game. Prater scored the first six points to start the run and assisted on a Kessler layup after that. Prater used her speed and got another layup to fall giving Hood its first double-digit lead of the game. Prater scored a total 12 points in the second half to spear head the Blazer attack and help lead them to the 14 point victory.
Both teams ended with 47 rebounds on the evening with sophomore Rachel Wiley corralling 12 boards in all for the blue and grey. Hood will look to limit its turnovers in its next outing as the Blazers had 29 on the night, but their good defense forced 24 Mustang turnovers.
The Blazers return to action this Saturday when they take on Lycoming College in Commonwealth conference action. It will be the Blazers second straight road game with the contest set to start at 1 p.m.