FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College women's basketball team honored their sole senior
Kourtney Johnson (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) in the last home game of the regular season this Saturday afternoon against the Lions of Albright College but fell in the contest 57-54.
Inside the Box Score
Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, Fla./Long Reach) had a season high of 17 points to lead all Blazers.
Serenity Ritchie (Martinsburg, W.V./Martinsburg) added 13 points in the game, along with six boards.
Maya Gordon (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) got into double figure points with 11.
How it Happened
It was very fitting that the game started with a Kourtney Johnson (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) made free throw just over a minute into the game.
Johnson continued to be a force for the Blazers, as she forced a steal that led to a made
Serenity Ritchie (Martinsburg, W.V./Martinsburg) three.
The Lions evened the playing field and weathered the storm to draw even 4-4 with the Blazers.
Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, Fla./Long Reach) joined in on the fun midway through the first quarter as she scored a three point shot .
Putman continued to heat up and made a fast break layup after a Ritchie steal, as Hood held the early advantage 9-4.
Hood's offensive momentum overwhelmed Albright, and a Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) made layup gave the Blazers a 16 to 6 lead.
To end the first, the Blazers were riding the wave of senior day, and continued to pressure the Lions, as they had a 20 to 11 lead.
The second quarter, saw both squads deal with offensive struggles as the first shot would not be made until a Putman made two pointer, just over two minutes into the quarter.
Albright looked to battle back into the game, but Maya Gordon (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) extended Hood's lead to 25-11 after a made three.
The Blazers continued to pile on the made shots, but the Lions weathered the storm and cut into Hood's lead.
Headed into the break, the Blazers were up 32 to 27 and had the momentum.
To start the third, the teams battled with each other, as both squads traded basket back and forth.
The Lions battled back into the contest throughout the third quarter, and Hood began to struggle offensively.
Albright took advantage of Hood's misfortunates and earned a 47 to 38 lead to enter the fourth.
The Blazers were unflustered by the deficit, as they wanted to send out
Kourtney Johnson (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) the right way for senior day, but the Lions wanted to spoil the day.
Gordon, and Ritchie got the Blazers momentum back rolling, with two made jump shots to stop the previous bleeding from the third quarter.
Four seconds remained in the game, and Ritchie cut the lead to just one in favor of Albright 55 to 54.
The Blazers needed to foul and hope that they had another chance to send the game to overtime, but Albright would close out the game with two made free throws and end the game with a 57-54 win and handed Hood another loss.
For the Opponent
Chrisdin Jones led the Lions with 20 points and added four steals.
Julia Zakovitch had 13 points and grabbed five boards.
Analysis
Hood shot 41.1% from the field, while Albright shot 46.2% .
Hood led in bench points with 15 to Albright's 13.
Hood edged Albright in rebounds 33-32.
Notes
Hood falls to 3-20 overall, and 0-12 in conference play.
Albright improves to 10-13 overall, and 6-6 in conference play.
Up Next
The Hood College women's basketball will be on the road on Wednesday, February 18 against the Falcons of Messiah University with tipoff set for 7 PM.
