STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Hood and Stevenson combined to shoot an astounding 74 percent in second half of their ECAC South Semifinal contest, but the Mustangs had the player with the hottest hand and inched past the Blazers 97-91.

Playing in what proved to be their final collegiate game, Hood's seniors turned in strong performances. Chris Cook (Mechanicsville, Va. / Lee-Davis) scored 20 points and hit 9-of-14 field goals and went 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Terell Buyck (Forestville, Md. / Bishop McNamara) matched Cook's line from behind the arc and was 6-of-10 shooting overall on his way to 16 points. Reggie Daniels (Abingdon, Md. / Patterson Mill) led the team with seven rebounds. 

But Stevenson's Colby Giacubeno caught fire early and had a career-night. The senior guard finished with 48 points and knocked down 13-of-18 3-point field goals. 

For Hood, junior Davon Hill (Clinton, Md. / Potomac School) added 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, and had three steals. Tanner Ruths (Stephens City, Va. / Sherando) had a career-high five assists. 

Hood hit 21-of-29 field goals in the second half (72 percent), while Stevenson went 18-of-24 (75 percent). The two squads combined for 114 second half points.

The Blazers trailed 74-61 with 8:25 to play after a bucket by Justin Kuntz, but a pair of free throws by Ruth followed to spark a Hood run. Cook scored the next five points for the Blazers during a 12-4 spurt, and Hood trailed just 77-73 after two Luke Casey (Nanticoke, Pa. / Crestwood) foul shots with 5:43 on the clock. 

A three-point play by Erik Fisher put the lead back up to 91-78 with 2:25 remaining, but the Blazers had one last surge. Hill had eight points and an assist during a 13-5 run that brought Hood within five, 96-91, with 16 seconds left. The Blazers were forced to foul and Christian Roberts hit 1-of-2 before a Hood turnover ended the threat.

While Giacubeno was dialed in all evening, his teammates hit just 1-of-9 3-pointers, and no player had more than Chris Day's 12 points. Kuntz grabbed nine rebounds and Roberts tallied 10 assists. 

The two squads split what few missed shots there were in the contest. Each team had 29 rebounds. 

Hood shot a season-high 56 percent in the contest (34-of-61). Stevenson sank 58 percent of its field goals (34-of-59). 

Stevenson led 42-32 at the half.

Arcadia will face the Mustangs in Sunday's championship game. The Knights defeated Bethany in the other semifinal.

The loss ends Hood's season with a 15-13 record. The Blazers advanced to the Commonwealth Conference Semifinals and the ECAC Tournament for the second straight season.