Box Score

A 30-footer at the buzzer went off the rim as the Albright College men's basketball team lost 61-60 at Hood on Wednesday.

Senior Pedro Perez had 23 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Classmate Sam Marrella added 12 points, while Kyle Jordan had 12 rebounds and four blocks.

With the host Blazers leading by one, Chris Cook finished off a nice fake to make it 54-51 with 1:32 left. Jordan was fouled on his third chance attempt and made one free throw, but Perez' layup rolled short after Hood had extended their advantage at the charity stripe.

Just when it looked like the Lions were down and out, Perez got a second chance basket to cut it to three, and then hit a triple to shave the deficit to 59-57 after Hood answered with free throws. Marrella also sank a three in the final seconds, but Perez' desperation heave to win was just off the mark.

The teams combined for just 15 field goals and two free throws in a low-scoring first half that ended with Albright up 19-18. Hood shot 28% in the opening period, while the Lions shot 33.3% and committed 15 turnovers.

Marrella got the Lions on the board with a three-pointer, and then sank another trey four minutes in for a 7-4 Albright lead.

After Terell Buyck made it 15-11 Hood with 9:28 left, neither team scored for almost four minutes until Marrella broke the slump. Perez gave the Lions a halftime lead as Cameron Cook's three-pointer was the Blazers' only basket over the final 9:28 of the half.

Hood broke its slump two minutes after halftime, and capped a 6-0 run with Justin Bowens' free throw. Perez finally countered for the Lions to keep the visitors down just 24-22.

The teams traded baskets, with Albright's Josh Marquez equaling the largest lead of the half with a three-pointer to put the Lions up 33-28. Hood retoke a 36-35 advantage on Davon Hill's jumper.

The Lions fall to 8-6, 4-3, and are now tied with Hood (10-4, 4-3) in the Commonwealth standings. Albright hosts Lebanon Valley on Saturday- game time will be 2 p.m. with the men playing before the women's team.

Three-time All-American and program leading scorer Tom Pearsall '63 will be recognized at halftime Saturday for his induction into the MAC Hall of Fame.