FREDERICK, Md. - Despite a career-high 18 points by Alexis Briscoe (Columbia, Md. / Long Reach), Hood College came up just short in a 79-77 loss to visting Alvernia in Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth action. 

The senior came off the bench and posted matching 6-of-11 marks on field goals and at the free throw line. Alexis Andrukat (Smithsburg, Md. / Smithsburg) added 14 points. Verkia Smith (Waldorf, Md. / North Point) filled up the box score with six rebounds, five assists and six steals. 

Briscoe and the reserves carried much of the offensive load, which resulted in the most points for the Blazers' offense since November 2013. Briscoe, Mackenzie Grove (Frederick, Md. / Oakdale), Jasmine Webster (Warrenton, Va. / Kettle Run) and Denisha Robinson (Richmond, Va. / Midlothian) combined for 39 points and shot a collective 14-of-24 from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range. 

Alvernia led 14-13 before Hood closed out the first period with a lay up by Taylor McGaughey (New Market, Md. / Oakdale) and a 3-pointer by Robinson for an 18-14 lead. Tyra Roberts scored eight straight points, however, as the Crusaders opened the second period with a 10-0 run and held a 33-31 halftime lead. 

A 3-pointer by Chelsea Ebersole gave Alvernia a 44-34 edge with 6:21 remaing in the third. Hood rallied with a 20-11 run to pull within 55-54 after basket by Briscoe with just over a minute left in the period. 

The Crusaders rebuilt their edge to as many as 11 in the fourth quarter, but Hood again rallied. Trailing 70-59 with 6:14 left in the game, the Blazers finished the night with an 18-9 spurt. 

Roberts had a double-double with 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 11 rebounds. Jenna Wolff scored 16 points and had five assists. Logan Focht added 13 points and five assists, while Ebersole also finished with 13 points. 

Alvernia turned a 43-26 rebounding edge into a 17-8 advantage in second chance points. 

Hood committed only 12 turnovers, while forcing the Crusaders into 24. The Blazers held a 23-12 edge in points off turnovers.

Hood will look to keep its offensive momentum when Lycoming visits BB&T Arena on Saturday, January 9 at 1 p.m.