GRANTHAM, Pa. – A fourth quarter offensive outburst from Messiah University was too much for the Hood College women's basketball team to overcome, as the Blazers fell 59-47 in a Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth matchup.
Inside the Box Score
Chanelle Lee (Brunswick, Md./Saint John's Catholic Prep) led the team with 19 points and four assists.
Tiffany Manning (Randallstown, Md./Western Tech) finished with 11 points.
Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) ended the afternoon with seven rebounds.
How it Happened
Messiah went on a 7-2 run to start the game, and after both teams exchanged baskets, Hood managed to keep the deficit to just four points as the quarter ended with the Falcons leading 13-9.
The second quarter started off similarly to the first, as Messiah went on a 10-2 run over the first 3:33, but Hood answered back, giving up zero points for the rest of the half en route to a 9-0 run and just a 23-20 hole at the half.
The Blazers kept up the offensive pressure immediately out of halftime with a three-pointer from Lee. After that was answered with a long-range shot from Messiah's Chloe Milanesi, Hood went on a 9-2 run to take a 32-28 lead just under four minutes into the quarter.
The Falcons found their offensive groove after that, rattling off a 10-1 run the remainder of the third to put the Blazers at a 38-33 disadvantage heading into the final frame.
Both teams exchanged baskets to start the fourth quarter, but an 8-2 run in the final minutes of the game sealed it, with
Tam Stanford (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mount Carmel) making a jumper at the buzzer, bringing the official score to 59-47.
For the Opponent
Morgan Adams led Messiah in scoring with 18 points.
Reese Harden finished her day with 15 points, four steals, and six assists.
Analysis
Messiah shot 43 percent from the field, while Hood converted just 36 percent of their shots.
The Falcons outrebounded the Blazers 32-30.
Notes
After the game, head coach DéRonté Polite said, "We are competing against the top teams in the conference. I love our energy and effort. Now, we have to learn to execute in pivotal moments of the game. We will get there."
Hood drops to 1-11 (0-2), while Messiah improves to 9-3 (2-0).
Up Next
The Blazers travel to Reading, Pennsylvania for a conference game against Albright Wednesday, January 10 at 6 p.m.
