Strong third quarter not enough to lift Women’s Basketball over Hood College

FREDERICK, Md. --- Despite a strong third quarter, Carlow University women's basketball fell to Hood College, 76-64, on the road Saturday afternoon.

The Celtics (2-5) outscored the Blazers (1-5) 18-7 in the third quarter, but a slow start for Carlow dug a hole from which the Celtics could not climb out.

Nina Cano (Greenville, Pa./Greenville HS/Grove City College) led Carlow with 18 points and two blocks, and Emiley Hillgartner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) added 11 points off the bench.

Sydney Carr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) contributed 10 points, three assists and two steals, while Shaelyn Clark (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong HS) dished out five assists and picked up three steals in the effort.

Hood jumped out to a 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, and the Blazers took a 15-2 run into the second to lead, 30-10. Carlow strung together a 9-2 run through the end of the second quarter to narrow Hood's advantage, but two last-second foul shots afforded the Blazers a 40-21 lead at intermission.

Six different Celtics scored to support Carlow's effective third quarter, cutting Hood's lead to just eight points heading into the fourth. Both teams recorded the most points of the game in the final quarter, as the Celtics trailed by five with four minutes remaining.

The Blazers scored nine unanswered points before Hillgartner hit two free throws and Head Coach Dave Gordon called a timeout to regroup. Carlow trailed 67-55 with 1:31 on the clock, and Hood scored seven of its final nine points at the foul line to end the game.

Hood outrebounded Carlow 52-42 and scored 21 points off 23 Celtics turnovers on the day. The rebounding made a difference, as the Blazers outscored Carlow 23-15 in second chance points.

Chanelle Lee led Hood with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds. Kourtney Johnson added 17 points and four assists.

The Celtics open Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action with a 7 p.m. home game against Pitt Greensburg Dec. 18.