FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College women's basketball team (4-13, 2-8 Commonwealth) dropped a 79-61 Commonwealth Conference decision to the Alvernia University Crusaders (7-9, 4-6 Commonwealth) Monday evening at BB&T Arena.
Dyanna Prater paced the Blazer offense with 12 points, including 10 in the second half, and needs just seven more points to reach the 1,000-point plateau for her career. The frontcourt tandem of Shakara Head and Rachel Wiley netted nine points and 11 rebounds apiece. Rachel Kessler added eight points, four assists and five steals for the Blazers.In addition, Maggie Payne scored the first points of her collegiate career on a three-pointer in the first half.
Alvernia led wire-to-wire in this one and built a double-figure lead 6:28 into the opening half. Hood was unable to overcome 18 first-half turnovers and trailed 38-20 at halftime. In the second half, Hood owned an overwhelming advantage over the Crusaders in field goal attempts, 42-15, and corralled 16 offensive rebounds but the Crusaders matched the Blazers point-for-point in the final 20 minutes and were aided by 18-of-28 from the foul line.
Hood won the battle of the boards, 43-34, and shot 34.8 percent from the field. Alvernia's Chelsea Ebersole drilled six threes and finished with a game-high 24 points. Kaitlyn Yoh finished with 14 points and Kayla Long had 13 for the victors.
Hood continues its three-game homestand Wednesday hosting Stevenson University at 6 p.m. in another Commonwealth contest.