CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Hood College men's basketball team kept in striking distance for over 37 minutes of the game before going on a 9-0 run to complete the comeback against cross-conference opponent DeSales 86-84 to break their three-game skid Saturday night. 

Inside the Box Score

Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) scored a career-high 24 points and dished 6 assists on the night. 

Kullen Robinson (Alexandria, Va./Alexandria City) had 16 points with three steals. 

Jevon Yarbrough (Williamsport, Md./Williamsport) scored 12 with eight rebounds and four assists. 

How it Happened

The Blazers started out the game by turning opponent turnovers to points as field goal percentage was not at a high clip, but stops on defense put Hood up 21-13 after ten minutes. 

Efficiency started to bite the Blazers, flipping the script as improved play by DeSales put them ahead by as much as 16 and went into halftime with a 47-34 lead against the visitors in blue.

The second half was steady, but play by big men Jude Huseby (Frederick, Md./Urbana) and Garrett Cox (Glen Allen, VA/Glen Allen) allowed the Blazers to chip away at the deficit and keep on their toes into the late minutes.

The Bulldogs looked to put the game away with a deep three by Matt Ciszkowski to go up 84-77 with less than three to go. Robinson responded with a driving layup and then got fouled a possession later and netted both free throws to pull within three. 

A hard earned defensive rebound by Cox led to the ball being back in Robinson's hands to score again to trail by just one with less than a minute to play. Robinson was again fouled on his way to the rim, and two more made free throws gave Hood the lead with 17 seconds left. Desales would not get another shot off, as a Huseby steal led to free throws for Jack Fricka (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac). Despite only making one of the two, Robinson snatched the ball away from the Bulldogs to seal the 86-84 win.

"We never lost sight of the goal and kept chipping away at their lead," said head coach Chad Dickman. "DeSales is a good team that doesn't lose many games at home, so it was a great win that will hopefully help us build momentum to finish out 2024 strong."

Analysis
Hood turned the ball over only 10 times to Desales' 17. 

DeSales led for almost 70 percent of the game. 

The Blazers outscored the Bulldogs in the paint 40-24. 

For the Opponent
Caleb Gibbs scored 19 with 9 rebounds. 

Brendon Boyle had 17 points with 7 assists. 

Notes
Hood improves to 5-3, 0-0 on the season.

DeSales falls to 5-3, 0-0 on the season.

Up Next