CHESTER, Pa. – Inconsistent shooting in the first half was too much of a handicap for the Hood College men's basketball team to overcome, falling to Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth opponent Widener 78-62.
Inside the Box Score
Justin Gielen (Edgewater, Md./DeMatha) led the Blazers with 15 points.
Jude Huseby (Frederick, Md./Urbana) finished with 13 points off of 75 percent shooting.
Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) ended the afternoon with seven rebounds and four assists.
How it Happened
Both team's offenses started off sluggishly, with the score sitting 4-3 in favor of Widener more than 4:30 into the game, but the Pride suddenly went on a hot streak, going on a 16-2 run across the next six minutes to get their momentum going.
Although Hood managed to get the deficit into single digits a couple points through the first half, there was not enough consistency to get within striking distance of the lead as a flurry of offense in the last three minutes of the half were answered by Widener as the Blazers found themselves in a 42-27 hole after 20 minutes of play.
The second half started well, with
Ryan Hollwedel (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) scoring the first points with a deep ball 21 seconds in, but the Pride continued to keep the game just out of reach by answering each Hood shot with a shot of their own.
The Blazers managed to get within eight points halfway through the period, but that would be the closest they would get as Widener went on another run to further extend their lead.
Despite some good chances to stage a comeback late in the game, the ball did not bounce the right way for the Blazers, as a final shot from Huseby at the buzzer brought Widener's margin of victory to 78-62.
For the Opponent
Dominic Dunn finished with a 21-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Howie Rankine Jr. also finished the game with a double-double, scoring 15 points and coming down with 10 rebounds, adding five assists and three steals to his performance.
Analysis
Widener 39 percent overall, and 22 percent from three-point range, while Hood shot 34 percent overall, and 25 percent from three-point range.
The Pride outrebounded the Blazers 46-35.
Hood's bench outscored Widener's 30-16.
Notes
"They were definitely the more physical team, dominated the glass, and controlled the momentum. We didn't execute well on either end of the floor, and credit to them for being a big reason for that," said Head Coach
Chad Dickman after the game.
Widener gets their revenge for earlier loss in the season to drop Hood to 16-4 (8-2), while they improve to 18-3 (8-2).
Up Next
The Blazers return home for a MAC Commonwealth matchup against Stevenson University Wednesday, February 7 at 7 p.m.
