FREDERICK, Md.--All five Blazer starters reached double figures
as the Hood College men's basketball team rolled to a 99-70 Capital
Athletic Conference victory over visiting St. Mary's College
Wednesday at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
The Blazers continue their best start in school history at 6-2
and move to 2-1 in the CAC while St. Mary's dips to 1-5 overall,
0-3 in the league.
In a rematch of the fifth place game at last month's Provident
Pride of Maryland Tournament, the Blazers and Seahawks clashed for
the first time as conference rivals. Hood never trailed in the
contest and used brilliant perimeter shooting to maintain the
upperhand.
The Seahawks trailed by only five, 19-14, with 12:23 to go in
the first half. But Hood held St. Mary's to just one field goal the
rest of the half, that by Mike Selckmann at the 1:46 mark, and took
a commanding 40-19 lead into the lockerroom.
Hood also neutralized Seahawk leading scorer Alex Irmer, who
contributed just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first 20
minutes.
The Blazers poured it on in the second stanza, amassing a
season-best 59 second half points on 20-of-33 from the floor.
Sophomore Ryan Junghans led the Blazers in scoring for the sixth
time this season with 19 points including five three-pointers.
Sophomore Anthony Bennett tallied a career-high 17 points, three
assists and two steals.
Junior Jesse Gutekunst registered his fourth double-double with
16 points, 13 rebounds and three steals.
The senior tandem of Sean Robine and Darnell Edmonds sparked the
Blazers with solid all-around play. Robine contributed 15 points,
seven rebounds and five assists while Edmonds chipped in 13 points,
five rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Sophomore Jeff Willison came off the bench to net eight points
and grab five boards. In all, 10 different Blazers scored in the
decisive victory.
Four of SMC's starting five also reached double digits in
scoring, led by Irmer's 11.
Hood connected on 15 treys in the game, one shy of the school
record of 16 set Feb. 12, 2005 against Lincoln. The Blazers also
picked up 23 assists on 35 baskets.
The Blazers return to action Saturday at CAC rival Catholic
University for a 4 p.m. tip with the Cardinals.
