FREDERICK, Md.--Freshman guard Bethany Townsend hit a pair of
clutch free throws in the closing seconds of regulation to secure a
58-56 win for the visiting St. Mary's College (Md.) Seahawks (3-8,
2-2 CAC) over the Hood College women's basketball team (3-10, 1-3
CAC) Saturday at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
St. Mary's maintained the lead the entire first half and took a
36-29 edge into the lockerroom. But the Blazers finally grabbed the
lead midway through the second half on a conventional three-point
play by Jessica Parrish which put Hood up 47-46 with 10:07 left. A
Jen Willison layup at the 5:18 mark gave Hood its largest lead of
the day, 54-50, but the Blazers would connect on just one more
field goal the rest of the way.
In fact, both teams would struggle from the floor for a stretch
of 3:09, as the two squads combined for nine missed field goals and
six turnovers. A pair of free throws by Kiely Murphy gave the lead
back to St. Mary's with 1:15 to play. But on Hood's next
possession, Brianna Raithel fed a cutting Parrish who laid one in
for two to tie the score once again at 56-56 with 19 ticks left.
Parrish was then whistled for a foul on Townsend, who was 3-of-9
from the line coming into today's game. Townsend calmly hit both
foul shots and the Seahawks spent their final timeout to set the
defense. On the inbounds, the Blazers were unable to get a shot off
in the final seven seconds and the Seahawks escaped with the
victory.
Willison finished with her sixth double-double of the season
with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Parrish totaled 13 points and
three assists. Sara Wastler had 11 points, seven rebounds and four
assists. Jessica Head chipped in seven points, all on free throws,
and grabbed eight boards while Allyson Lethbridge contributed six
points, six rebounds and four assists. Brianna Raithel tallied five
points, three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Tiara Hurte poured in a career-high 23 points and 13 caroms to
pace St. Mary's.
The Blazers return to Gov. Thomas Johnson High School Wednesday
hosting nationally ranked Marymount University at 6 p.m.
