READING, Pa. - Hood College's Rachel Kessler (Middletown, Md. / Middletown) led the Blazers with 18 points, nine rebounds and five steals in a Commonwealth Conference loss at Albright, 72-55.

Rachel Wiley (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) had five rebounds bring her career total to 900, just the second player in school history to reach that milestone. Reserve Brittney George (Middletown, Md. / Middletown) pitched in with season-highs of 11 points and seven rebounds, hitting 4-of-8 field goals. Briana Lee (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) left the bench to notch 12 points, making 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Verkia Smith (Waldorf, Md. / North Point) and Allie Appleby (Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Township) each added three assists. Smith also had three steals.

The Lions jumped ahead of the Blazers 13-2 with 14:42 to go in the first half. Still trailing 21-10, Hood battled back with an 18-6 run that pulled the Blazers within one point. A layup by Kessler capped the run to make it 28-27 with 1:58 left in the half. Two layups down the stretch by Albright made for a 32-27 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Blazers remained within five points of the Lions, 36-31, with 15 minutes remaining. Albright caught fire, using a 27-6 run to put the game away. Hood responded with a 14-4 run over the final 2:23.

Kelecia Harris led the Lion's with a double-double of 16 points, 14 in the first half, and 15 rebounds. She also added a team-high four blocks and hit 7-of-10 field goals. Jessica Venturelli notched 16 points and seven rebounds, and had five assists. Emily O'Donnell entered the game as a reserve and had 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Blazers committed just 14 turnovers in the contest, while forcing 25 by Albright.

Hood honors its seniors in a final conference game against Messiah on February 21 at 1 p.m.