FREDERICK, Md.—The Hood College women's basketball team (1-0) defeated Randolph College (1-1), 52-49, in the squad's first game of the season. It was Hood's first opening game win since the 2010-11 season and the first of the Jack Mehl era.

On a day when points were hard to come by the Blazers persevered with hard work on the defensive end and a balanced scoring attack. Senior guard Dyanna Prater was the only Blazer player to reach double-figures with 10 points on 4-13 shooting. Prater's stat line of 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals was very impressive, as she did a little bit of everything to help her team win.

The Blazers as a team shot just 28.6 percent and didn't convert from three on 16 attempts.
Randolph College did not fare any better as Hood played smothering defense all day and made life miserable on the Wildcats. The Blazers forced 22 Wildcat turnovers and held Randolph to just 20 percent shooting as a team.

Both teams struggled to score in the first half, but the Blazers went on an 11-4 run to end the first half with a 24-18 lead. The run was sparked by sophomore Briana Lee, who made five consecutive points to start the run. Lee finished with seven points on the afternoon.

The second half turned into a tight affair as Randolph came out of the locker room hot. Brianna Lowry hit a 3 point field goal and then got another jumper to go in and brought Randolph to within five. Lowry and Prater's matchup was a fun one to watch, as they are two of the quicker guards you will see in division III. Lowry then assisted on two Megan Russell jumpers that had Randolph within two.

Hood answered and went on a 12-1 run that was capped with a Rachel Wiley jump shot that seemed like it would put the game away. That was not to be. Randolph had one more run in them and an Emilee Dunton three trimmed Hood's lead to two at 49-47 with just over a minute remaining. Senior Emily Maerz made two clutch free throws to give Hood a 51-47 advantage with 16 seconds remaining. Randolph got a bucket from Jenson Hoover to bring it back to within two, although Prater split a pair of free throws to set up a thrilling finish. Lowry looked to tie the game with a deep three over Prater, however it clanked off the back rim giving the Blazers the victory.

Hood will have time to enjoy its victory as the Blazers have the next week off and return to action next Saturday. The Blazers will take on North Carolina Wesleyan at the Methodist Tournament in a 6 p.m. contest.