FREDERICK, Md. - The Hood College women's basketball team looked to earn their first conference win of the year over York College (Pa.), but a strong second half helped lift the Spartans past the Blazers on Saturday afternoon 64-44.
Inside the Box Score
Serenity Ritchie (Martinsburg, W.V./Martinsburg) led the Blazers in points with 11.
Maya Byrd-Gross (Onley, Md./Don Bosco) added eight points while dishing out five assists and snagged four rebounds.
Jaylah Putman (Jacksonville, Fla./Long Reach) had seven points while
Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) was all over the boards with 11 rebounds in the game.
How it Happened
Hood started off slow offensively and found themselves in a 6-0 hold to start the game.
The Blazers first basket wouldn't come until a
Maya Byrd-Gross (Onley, Md./Don Bosco) layup just over three minutes in.
After the Byrd-Gross layup, Serenity Ritchie (Martinsburg, W.V./Martinsburg) quickly responded with a three-point shot to cut York's led to just one.
Hood found more offensive rhythm throughout the first quarter, and continued to battle with York, but the Spartans held the advantage going into the second quarter with a 20 to 13 lead.
Shades of Hood's first quarter offensive woes trickled over to York as they struggled to put the ball in the basket.
The Blazers capitalized on the Spartans' misfortunes and were within three points after a Ritchie made jumper to make the score 20 to 17, still in favor of York.
Mid-way through the third, York started to find the same hot start from the first quarter, but Hood didn't back down from the test.
Headed into the break, the Spartans led the Blazers 27-23, as momentum seemed to look in favor of Hood.
Just 30 seconds into the third quarter Ritchie made an early basket as Ritchie continued to stay hot for the Blazers.
York faced adversity, and a response was needed to stop the bleeding.
Quickly the Spartans found a spark and hit key shots throughout the third quarter but couldn't put the Blazers to bed, as York held a slight 40 to 33 advantage over Hood.
Despite Hood's effort, York pulled away and went on a run in the fourth quarter, and found a way to put the Blazers down, defeating Hood 64-44.
For the Opponent
Breana Grim and Olivia Shutter both had 14 points in the contest.
Analysis
Hood shot 37.8% from the field, while York (Pa.) shot 45.3%.
York held the advantage in bench points with 20 to Hood's 11.
Hood was slightly edged by York in team rebounds 31 to 30.
Notes
Hood falls to 3-18 overall and 0-10 in conference play.
York improves to 7-14 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
Up Next
The Hood College Women's basketball will be back in Woodsboro Bank Arena on Wednesday, February 11, against the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University with tipoff set for 7 PM.
