OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball (7-12, 6-4) fought early and fought hard, as they finished on top to Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opponent Hood College (4-14, 1-9) Wednesday evening in Owings Mills gymnasium.
 
Sophomore guard Emori Jeselskis beat her career best, scoring 21 points with six rebounds on the evening. She notched three three-pointers as well.  Sophomore guard Laci Johnson continued to be a force with 22 total points, nearly tying her best performance, adding two three-pointers to her season totals. Senior forward Maleah Smith rounded the team effort with eight points and nine rebounds, while freshman forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques continued to add a crucial presence, with seven rebounds and three points.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Mustangs wasted no time getting points on the board with a three-pointer from Jeselskis seconds in. The Mustangs scored a layup seconds later, gaining an early lead. The Blazers answered seconds later with a layup, but the Mustangs had already found their rhythm. Jeselskis added to an eight-point lead minutes later. With the time ticking, the Mustangs saw the gap tighten, as the quarter ended in a one- point decision, 18-17, thanks to an ending three-pointer from the Blazers.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Scoring an early free throw following points by Johnson, the Blazers tied the game at 20-20 with 8:38 remaining. Temporarily losing the lead, the Mustangs bounced back, tying the game again 22-22 just over a minute later thanks to Johnson. The Mustangs regained their pace, scoring seven more points following a Johnson three- pointer with just over five minutes left. The Blazers made two successful baskets, tightening the gap before tying the game again at 29-29 with just over two minutes left. A battle of fouls ensued before the Mustangs ended the half on top 31-29 following a successful free throw series.
 
THIRD QUARTER
The Blazers tied the game once more at 31-31 just under a minute into play. Taking another lead with a three-pointer, Jeselskis answered back, tying the game one last time for the Mustangs, 34-34 with 7:26 in the quarter. The Mustangs regained their consistency, widening their lead to a 10-point game to end the third at 51-41.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
The Mustangs maintained their pace into the final quarter. While the Blazers scored early on, the Mustangs answered about a minute later with successful points from senior guard Morgan Pennick and freshman guard Erin Dixon. While the Mustangs maintained a 12-point lead, another battle of fouls ensued, with the Blazers closing the gap by five points. Rounding the quarter, Hood scored one last time, just short of the Mustangs, ending the game 72-64.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs improve to 7-12 overall and 6-4 in conference. The Blazers fall to 4-14 overall and 1-9 in conference. The Mustangs hit the road once again when they travel to Lebanon Valley in conference play Saturday, Jan. 28 for a 1 p.m. tipoff. The Blazers travel to Eastern University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tipoff.