Junghans Pours in 31 but Blazers Fall in OT, 81-73

CARLISLE, Pa.--Junior Ryan Junghans led all scorers with 31 points, including seven three-pointers, but the Hood College men's basketball team suffered a season-opening 81-73 overtime defeat to the College of Staten Island Dolphins Friday night in the opening round of the Dickinson College Tip-Off Tournament.

The Dolphins scored the first seven points of the contest but the Blazers put together a spurt of their own to knot the game at 7-7 at the 13:55 mark. Two straight buckets by Junghans gave Hood its first lead of the game (12-9) and the Blazers went on to extend the advantage to as many as eight in the first stanza. CSI rallied to retake the lead in the final minute of the half on a triple by Kyle Yocum but a clutch trey by Junghans with 15 seconds left sent the Blazers into the lockerroom with a 32-29 edge.

Hood's biggest lead of the second half was seven points after senior Jesse Gutekunst knocked down a three at the 16:40 mark. But the Dolphins ripped off eight straight points to leapfrog the Blazers once again, 43-42, on a three by Sean Weismuller.

The lead seesawed several times for the rest of the half before a layup by Robert Mesjasz put Staten Island up 64-63 with 1:15 to go. Chris Montervino made one of two from the line with just 13 ticks to go to make it a two-point game. After the miss, senior Arthur Claybon grabbed the defensive carom and got the ball to junior Anthony Bennett who hit a clutch jumper with five seconds left in regulation, sending the contest into overtime.

Although the Blazers had the momentum on their side in the extra session, the Dolphins connected on all four of their field goal attempts and nailed 8-13 from the line to outscore Hood 16-8 and seal the win.

Junghans' seven three-pointers were one away from his school record of eight set against the Merchant Marine Academy last season. Gutekunst finished with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks. Bennett also reached double figures with 17 points on 8-12 shooting.

The Blazers will take on Penn State Harrisburg Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the consolation matchup.