FREDERICK, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball jumped back into conference play as they took on the Hood College Blazers on Wednesday evening in Frederick. The Mustangs ended the game just short, 55-53.
 
The Blazers got on the board first in the opening quarter, but their effort was quickly followed by a layup from SU sophomore forward Tessa Boswell. Despite the early game push, the Mustangs could not maintain their momentum as they recorded two more points with 2:03 remaining from Sanaa Thorne. With seven seconds left, sophomore forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques brought the team to eight points, ending the first quarter 21-8.
 
Looking to close the gap, Boswell added a three in the second quarter about a minute into play. Sophomore guard Erin Dixon followed seconds later, also with a three. With the gap now less than 10 points, the Mustangs acted quickly. First-year guard Elia Richardson added a three with 7:11 left, followed by a layup from Boswell at 5:09. With a few successful free throws, first-year guard Amoni Taylor ultimately brought the game within two points off a three at 2:58 remaining. However, the Blazers gained traction in the final minutes of the half, ending it ahead 34-25.
 
Dixon found an early third-quarter opportunity. Committed to closing the gap, she sank a jumper at 7:57. Junior forward Stephenae Lawrence brought the game within three, and though that lead was temporarily lost, Taylor made it another two-point game at 4:54. In the final two minutes, first-year forward Janie Smith and Richardson each added two points, bringing the score at the third to 49-40.
 
Boswell wasted no time in the fourth, adding a three 15 seconds into play. She followed seconds later with another three, closing the gap to three points once again. Despite the Blazers' efforts, Boswell remained persistent and added another three at 8:03 remaining. Dixon saw one more opportunity as the clock ticked on, before Lawrence brought the game again to two points with a layup at 35 seconds remaining. Despite the Mustangs' efforts, the final score was 55-53 in favor of the Blazers.
 
This game marks the team's first double-double since the 2021-2022 season, when Olivia Coleman secured 17 points and 12 rebounds against Albright University in the season closer. Boswell topped the team with 18 points and added six rebounds, a block and a steal, while.Dixon added 11 points and 11 rebounds as well as three steals, despite the loss.
 
The Mustangs return home on Saturday, Jan. 20 when they take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves at 1 p.m. in Owings Mills gymnasium.