OWINGS MILL, Md. - Hood College fell to first place Commonwealth Conference opponent Stevenson, 85-58.

Verkia Smith (Waldorf, Md. / North Point) led the Blazers with 10 points and had three assists. Brittney George (Middletown, Md. / Middletown) came in as a reserve and notched nine points. Rachel Wiley (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) had seven points and seven rebounds, and added three blocks. Briana Lee (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) had seven points and a career-high five steals. Kristin Histand (Charlottesville, Va. / Miller School of Albemarle) went 2-of-2 from 3-point range for her six points.

The Mustangs started the game with a 23-4 run to distance themselves from the Blazers with 12:45 to go. A 3-pointer by Lee capped a 9-4 run midway through the half, but Hood could not pull within reach of Stevenson and trailed 42-21 at the half.

A lay up from Smith at 11:11 of the second half sparked a 12-point run for Hood, as the defense blanked the Mustangs for over three minutes (64-40), but the Blazers were unable to threaten further. 

Sara Tarbert led the Mustangs making 8-of-11 field goals on her way to 19 points. Ty Bender had 17 points, went 7-of-8 from the line, and added four steals. Kayla Kelly had 14 points and three assists. Kyarra Harmon had eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Hood committed 28 turnovers in the game, but also had 18 steals while forcing Stevenson into 27 miscues.

The Blazers travel to Albright on February 17 for a conference game at 6 p.m.