WESTMINSTER, Md. - The Hood College women's basketball team held Mount Aloysius to under 20 percent shooting as the Blazers picked up a 65-49 win over the Mounties in the consolation game of the McDaniel Tip Off Classic.
Hood limited MAC to 12-of-68 shooting in the contest, just 17.6 percent from the field. The last time the Blazers were as stingy on defense was against Notre Dame (Md.) in 2003-04 (8-of-49; 16.3).
The offense was led by Lauron Bagby (Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian). The freshman provided a spark off the bench with a game-high 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting and 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Taylor McGaughey (New Market, Md. / Oakdale) scored all 10 of her points in the second half, including two threes. She led the team with nine rebounds and tied for team-high honors with four assists. Alexis Andrukat (Smithsburg, Md. / Smithsburg) hit 4-of-5 field goals on her way to 10 points and eight rebounds. Allie Appleby (Bel Air, Md. / C. Milton Wright) had a solid all-around effort with seven points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Appleby was named to the all-tournament team after the contest.
Despite the stifling defense, Hood trailed 17-11 with 8:07 left in the second quarter. After a Mackenzie Grove (Frederick, Md. / Oakdale) free throw, lay ups byArianna Delerme (Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Township) and Bagby pulled the Blazers within 17-16 with 3:17 left in the half. Trailing 21-18, two buckets by Bagby made it 22-21 with 1:39 left. The teams traded scores down the stretch, with a Breana Kendrick lay in making it 27-26 at the half in favor of the Mounties.
Mount Aloysius stretched the lead to 33-28 after a jumper by Abbie Zinobile with 8:24 left in the third period. Bagby knocked down a 3-pointer to start a 14-0 run that put the Blazers on top 42-33 at the 2:20 mark of the quarter. Hood was 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the run. Bagby hit two threes, while Delerme and McGaughey connected once apiece.
Hood continued to build its lead down the stretch. A lay up by Grove with 2:05 to play in the fourth gave the Blazers their biggest lead, 65-47.
Abbie Kulick led the Mounties with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but was just 4-of-18 shooting.
MAC outrebounded Hood 50-36, including 27 offensive boards. Despite the extra opportunities, the Mounties mustered just 18 second chance points.
The Blazers are back in action at Muhlenberg's Scotty Wood Tournament on November 20-21. Hood faces the Mules on the tournament's first day at 6 p.m. On the second day, the Blazers will take on either Cortland State or Delaware Valley.