OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Following back-and-forth action throughout most of the game, Hood College women's basketball falls behind after a late rally and is defeated by Stevenson 56-44 in Wednesday night's conference battle.
Inside the Box Score
Chanelle Lee (Brunswick, Md./Saint John's Catholic Prep),
Maya Gordon (Towson, Md./Loch Raven High School), and
Kourtney Johnson (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch High School) each scored 10 points.
How it Happened
Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) took advantage of her first start of the season and scored the Blazers' first basket; Lee got the assist. The Mustangs responded and
Aliyah Taylor (Randallstown, Md./Pikesville High School) answered with a layup of her own. Both teams traded baskets. Lee's effort stood out as she scored half of Hood's points in the first quarter. After the first ten minutes, the Blazers had a 12-10 lead.
The back-and-forth action continued as the second quarter began. Johnson continued to make an impact coming off the bench.
Tiffany Manning (Randallstown, Md./Western Tech) chipped in with a putback following one of her seven rebounds on the night. Turnovers kept Hood from being able to pull away from Stevenson. Eventually, the mustangs strung together enough good possessions to give themselves a narrow lead. At halftime Stevenson was up 23-21.
Both teams struggled to get a shot to fall in the beginning of the second half.
Maya Gordon (Towson, Md./Loch Raven High School) helped break the stalemate by making consecutive jumpers. Stevenson went on a run where they turned three straight possessions into points. Gordon and Johnson answered for Hood. Neither team was able to get an edge and stop the other from scoring. As the final frame approached the Mustangs were ahead 39-34.
Stevenson seemed to finally have an answer for Hood's offense and pushed their lead to as many as 15. Taylor and Gordon's effort didn't go unnoticed as they were good from the free throw line and in the paint, respectively. Hood battled and protected the ball down the stretch but just couldn't get shots to fall. The Mustangs rebounded well and converted at the free throw line down the stretch. In the end, Stevenson won 56-44.
For the Opponent
Stephenae Lawrence grabbed eight rebounds and led all scorers with 16 points.
Analysis
Hood had 12 bench points and Stevenson had 23.
The Mustangs shot 80 percent from the free throw line and the Blazers shot 50 percent.
Up Next
The Blazers return home to face the York College Spartans at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 25.
