TOWSON, Md.--Junior Jesse Gutekunst and sophomore Ryan Junghans combined for 47 points as the Hood College men's basketball team toppled St. Mary's College of Maryland, 70-61, to capture fifth place in the second annual Provident Bank Pride of Maryland Tournament Sunday at Goucher College.

Hood, which improved on its sixth-place showing in last year's tournament, is off to its best start in its brief four-year history at 4-1 while the Seahawks drop to 1-2 on the year.

Both teams struggled out of the gates offensively, as the Blazers needed 5:16 to connect on their first field goal of the game. The Seahawks didn't fair much better, holding just a 7-4 edge nearly eight minutes into the game. Hood secured its first lead (13-11) with 8:40 remaining in the half on a Gutekunst layup off a nice pass from Mike McCarrick. Despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the field, Hood clung to a 30-26 lead at the break.

The Blazers got things clicking in the second half, racing out to a 37-26 advantage in the first 2:22 on a pair of Gutekunst layups and a bucket and a foul shot by Junghans. But the Seahawks gradually chipped away at the Blazer lead, closing to within two, 37-35, with 14:50 to play in the game. Despite four ties in the latter portion of the period, the Blazers hung tough and did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the contest.

St. Mary's had several chances to leapfrog the Blazers but was unable to connect on the clutch basket. Mike Smelkinson hit a three-pointer to pull the Seahawks to within 60-59 with just under three minutes left in regulation. However, St. Mary's would not connect on another field goal the rest of the way except for an uncontested layup with 18 seconds remaining to make it a six-point game.

Hood came into today's game averaging 20 trips to the charity stripe per outing but capitalized on 29 of 46 foul shots against the Seahawks who went to the line only nine times all day. In addition, the Seahawks attempted 22 more field goals than the Blazers but shot just 38.2 percent from the floor. St. Mary's also had four players foul out including three starters.

Junghans, who was facing his former teammates after transferring to Hood from St. Mary's before this season, was Hood's top scorer for the third time this season with 25 points, including 13-16 from the line. Gutekunst notched his second straight "double-double" with 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with four blocks. Sophomore Tim Abercrombie, who earned all-tournament honors, tallied 10 points, five boards and four assists.

Hood returns to action Wednesday hosting Gallaudet University in its home opener at 7 p.m. at Thomas Johnson High School. The Blazers will also be engaging in their Capital Athletic Conference debut against the Bison. Following an away date at Mary Washington on Dec. 2, the Blazers will entertain this same St. Mary's squad at TJ on Dec. 6.