EMMITSBURG, Md.--The Stevenson University Mustangs (6-18, 4-11
CAC) defeated the Hood College women's basketball team (4-20, 2-13
CAC), 65-52, Wednesday evening in a Capital Athletic Conference
game at Mount St. Mary's University.
Stevenson is ranked just above Hood in the CAC standings but it
was Hood who hoped to avenge an earlier 59-29 loss to the Mustangs
back in January.
Despite the loss, Hood still had reason to celebrate. Junior Jen
Willison scored her 1,000 career point, becoming the seventh
women's basketball player to do so in school history. This being
her 68th game for the blue and gray, she is the second-fastest
woman to accomplish this feat. Melissa Kelly '00 reached 1,000
career points in 61 games, while Rita Willis '06 scored her 1,000th
career point in her 68th game as well.
The game opened with Hood jumping to a 9-3 lead within the first
2:39 of the half. The teams traded the lead 11 times throughout the
first half and Hood held onto it until the last minute when
Stevenson rallied to end the half with a six-point lead, 39-33.
A tight Mustang defense held the Blazers to scoring only two
points until 8:32 minutes remaining when Willison ignited the
Blazers by scoring her 1,000th career point with a first of two
free throws. The remainder of the scoring was left to Willison and
Allyson Lethbridge, who combined for 17 of Hood's 19 second-half
points. After Willison reached her milestone, Lethridge tallied six
of her team-high 20 points with back-to-back treys.
Meanwhile, Stevenson orchestrated a 12-point lead and jumped to as
many as 16 with 2:37 remaining. Despite their efforts, the Blazeres
were unable to cut the deficit to fewer than 10.
Even with the loss, it was a night of career highs for the
Blazers. Willison posted a double-double on the night with 10
points and 11 rebounds and even tied her career-high with two
blocks. Lethbridge led all scorers with 20 points, which almost
matched her career-high 22 points set earlier in the season.
Brianna Raithel set a career-high in steals with three and newcomer
Kim Blocker set a career-high in points with three. Tara Galvin led
the Mustangs with 16 points.
The Blazers finish their regular season schedule against
Salisbury University on Saturday in Salisbury, Md. at 2 p.m.
