FREDERICK, Md. – The Elizabethtown men's basketball team came up just short against nationally ranked Hood, falling 88-83 Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the Hood College Tip-Off
Tournament at the Volpe Athletic Center.
Janye Stanley led the Blue Jays with a game-high 31 points, while
Brandon Ascione added a career-high 16 points.
Anthony Lilly added 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while
Kaiden Robinson also finished with 10 points off the bench.
Luke Andres chipped in nine points, including three three-pointers.
Hood jumped out to an early advantage, using its offensive attack to take a 46-40 lead into halftime. Hood quickly doubled their lead to 10-5 within the first five minutes of the half. Minutes later, Ascione sunk a three to bring Etown within three of the Blazers. Midway through the half, Etown dropped in three back-to-back threes to take a 22-19 lead. The two teams would trade leads through the rest of the half. The Blue Jays stayed within striking distance throughout the opening half, shooting 41.7 percent from the field and knocking down nine three-pointers.
The Blue Jays continued to battle in the second half, gradually cutting into the Hood advantage. Elizabethtown pulled within one at 67-66 with 8:31 remaining after back-to-back three-pointers from Stanley. Hood responded with a basket to extend its lead before continuing to capitalize offensively down the stretch. The Blazers pushed their advantage to as many as 11 points in the closing minutes.
Stanley continued his strong performance, connecting on two more three-pointers in the final minute to help the Blue Jays make one last push. However, Hood converted its free throws to secure the 88-83 victory.
Elizabethtown finished the afternoon shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range.
With the loss, Elizabethtown moves to 1-1 on the season. The Blue Jays return to action Saturday, Nov. 14, traveling to Franklin & Marshall. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
