FREDERICK, Md.--The College of Notre Dame (Md.) Gators (1-0) broke open a close game midway through the first half, outscoring the Hood College women's basketball team (0-1) 32-8 over the final 9:30 of the first half and went on to defeat the Blazers, 82-62, in the season opener for both schools Saturday night at Gambrill Gymnasium.

The Gators and Blazers traded baskets in the early going. A layup by Jen Willison pulled the Blazers to within 14-13 midway through the stanza, but the Blazers connected on just two more field goal attempts the rest of the period. Dame, meanwhile, capitalized on 27 Blazer turnovers and as a result of the lopsided spurt, took a 46-21 lead into the lockerroom.

The Blazers came out of the intermission with renewed intensity and outscored Dame 41-36 in the final 20 minutes. Hood closed to within 15 with 2:34 to play but the deficit was too much to overcome.

Willison finished with a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds to go along with a pair of blocks and three assists. Allyson Lethbridge contributed 14 points and five steals while Wastler chipped in 11 points, including 10 in the second half.

Dame's Ronda Shelly led all scorers with 22 points on 10-of-20 shooting and picked off six steals while Khadija Mitchell (17) and Kendra Baldwin (16) also reached double figures for the victors.

The Blazers return to action Wednesday at Averett University at 6 p.m.