OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Hood College came up just short in a 58-54 loss at Stevenson in Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth action.

Tanner Ruths (Stephens City, Va. / Sherando) picked up his first career start and finished with nine points, a career-high 11 rebounds and three assists. Jared Ruiz (Frederick, Md. / Oakdale) led the Blazers with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He added three steals. Daniel Wegener (Falling Waters, W.Va. / Broadfording Christian (W.Va.)) had 10 points and three steals. 

A Wegener lay up gave Hood a 20-11 lead with seven minutes, 45 seconds left in the first half, but Erik Fisher hit three 3-pointers during a 16-2 run for a 27-22 Mustang lead at halftime. 

Hood opened the second half with a 14-4 run and led 36-31 after Trevor Magnuski (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) scored with 13:07 remaining. The Mustangs battled back for a 41-40 lead on a Ryan Hill score with eight minutes to go. Hood still trailed by just one, 52-51, thanks to two free throws by Ian Eversull (Ijamsville, Md. / Urbana) with 1:56 on the clock. The Mustangs answered with a field goal by Fisher for a three-point lead.

Fisher had a big game for Stevenson with 27 points and 10 rebounds. He went 4-of-10 from 3-point range. Hood limited Christian Roberts to 10 points under his season average. 

Both defenses performed well, with the teams combining to shoot just 35 percent in the contest.  

Stevenson outrebounded Hood 39-38, but turned the ball over 19 times compared to just 14 miscues for the Blazers.

Hood is scheduled to host Arcadia on January 23 at 3 p.m.