Box Score BALTIMORE, Md. – The Hood College women's basketball came up just short to close out 2023, falling 53-50 to the University of Notre Dame Maryland Gators.

Inside the Box Score
Chanelle Lee (Brunswick, Md./Saint John's Catholic Prep) finished with 22 points, shooting 53 percent from the field and coming just short of a double-double with nine rebounds.

Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) came down with 10 rebounds and added six points.

Na'Vaye Quarles (Glen Burnie, Md./North County) ended the day with nine points and led the team with five assists.

How it Happened
The Gators controlled most of the first quarter, going on a 16-2 run after a 2-2 tie to start the game and take a commanding early lead, with the Blazers just managing to get four points back before the buzzer sounded to go into the second in an 18-8 hole.

NDMU maintained their lead in the second, matching Hood shot-for-shot as the Blazers were still at a 10-point disadvantage with the score at 35-25 at halftime.

The Blazers' offense found their stride in the third quarter after more back-and-forth play, as a layup from Lee sparked a 12-0 run for the final 7:06 of the quarter that saw Hood take a 41-39 lead heading into the final frame.

A pair of free throws from Amani Watts tied the game back up for the Gators just 12 seconds into the fourth, and a layup 43 seconds later swung the lead back to NDMU's side.

The Blazers would not go down without a fight though, as the teams exchanged the lead a couple times before a three-pointer from Amya Durham put the Gators back on top 46-44 with just under eight minutes to play.

There was a scoring drought for the next several minutes of play until Lee tied the game up for Hood with just over four minutes left, but another long shot from NDMU gave the Gators a lead they managed to hold onto until the final buzzer sounded.

For the Opponent
Watts led the way for NDMU with 17 points off 7-12 shooting.

Hillary Howard racked up 12 points during the game, with Amya Durham just behind her at 11 points.

Analysis  
The Blazers outrebounded the Gators 41-28.

NDMU shot 42 percent from the field, compared to just 33 percent for Hood.

The Blazers turned turnovers into 24 points, while the Gators only managed eight.
 
Up Next
The Blazers begin conference play at home against Widener University Wednesday, January 3 at 6 p.m.