Blazers continue losing streak

JAN. 25, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

The Blair Blazers returned to home court today, falling to the Magruder Colonels 46-39 and adding to their three game losing streak. The Blazers (7-6) trailed their opponents during the entire game, only stepping up during the fourth quarter.

Magruder, a strong offensive squad, scored a majority of its points outside the paint, including an impressive three-pointer during the second quarter. Blair, a slower moving team, constantly turned the ball over and allowed the Colonels to take a majority of the rebounds on both sides of the court.

The night began sluggishly for the Blazers, who only managed to sink six points during the first period, all from freshman Kymahni West. Five of Margruder's players contributed to the team's 11 points. The second quarter did not result in much improvement. West and sophomore Ebony Winfield put away four points each, while Magruder brought their total to 22. At half time, Blair trailed by eight points.

The Colonels widened the gap during the third quarter by scoring 14 points, while Blair only scored 11, nine points from West, all within the paint.

It was not until the fourth quarter that Blair was about to outscore their opponents. The Blazers began to fight as time wound down. With 5:25 left in regulation, West stole a loose ball and dribbled down the lane for an easy lay-up, bringing the score to 38-24, with Magruder still in the lead. Although Blair never gained the lead, the team was in noticeably higher spirits during the last few minutes.

Missing valuable free throws cost the Blazers the game. Blair missed 10 foul shots during the fourth quarter alone, enough to have won them the game.

West, the team's top scorer with 29 points, saw a need for defensive improvement. "We need to keep playing hard ball,” she said. "We had a lazy defense tonight.”

Coach Kristin Werdann agreed. "We were out hustled, but we stepped it up during the fourth quarter,” she said. "It was just too late. It's frustrating.”