FREDERICK, Md.--Sophomore Ryan Junghans scored a game-high 22
points to lead four players in double figures as the top-seeded
Hood College men's basketball team ousted eighth-seeded Goucher
College, 82-72, in the opening round of the 2007 Capital Athletic
Conference tournament Tuesday evening at Gov. Thomas Johnson High
School.
With the win, the Blazers (20-6, 12-4 CAC) advance to the
semifinal round of the tournament and will host fifth-seeded St.
Mary's College (Md.) Thursday at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
The Seahawks upended No. 4 seed Marymount, 89-76.
Hood scored the first eight points of the game on a pair of
three-pointers by Darnell Edmonds and Tim Abercrombie and a layup
by Junghans. The Blazers would not relinquish their lead the rest
of the half, though the Gophers trimmed the margin to just two on
several occasions. Hood led 32-30 at the break.
Goucher overtook Hood in the opening minutes of the second half
as Pierre Jones scored the Gophers' first seven points of the
stanza to give the visitors a 37-36 edge. But the Blazers would use
a 13-0 spurt to assume a 10-point lead, 49-39, with 11:35
remaining. Junior Jesse Gutekunst, who was double-teamed throughout
the contest, hit consecutive baskets to ignite the decisive run
which regained the lead for Hood. The Blazers would not surrender
the lead again as the Gophers got no closer than six the rest of
the way.
Junghans, who was held scoreless from long range, recorded 14 of
his team-high 22 points at the foul line. Senior Sean Robine
finished with 18 points and eight boards while Abercrombie tallied
17 points and dished out six assists. Edmonds chipped in 14 points,
including three treys. Gutekunst was limited to just seven shots on
the night and finished with seven points but pulled down a
game-high 17 caroms.
Goucher was led by Jones who registered a double-double of 22
points and 10 rebounds. Senior James Russo also notched a
double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Blazers, now 10-1 at home this season, improve to 4-0
all-time against Goucher. Hood and St. Mary's square off Thursday
in a CAC semifinal matchup. The other semifinal pits No. 2 Catholic
University against No. 6 University of Mary Washington.
