FREDERICK, Md. – The Arcadia University women's basketball team closed out the 2016-17 season Saturday afternoon with a 77-76 win at Hood. The Knights season comes to an end with an 8-17 overall record and a 4-12 mark in conference play, the Blazers close out the season with a 6-19 record that includes a 1-15 mark in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Up one after the first quarter, the Knights scored the first five points of the second stanza for a 31-25 lead just over a minute into the period. After the hosts cut the lead to three, seniors Maureen Fiocca and Imani Alston each laid in a bucket for a 35-28 lead with 4:06 to go in the first half. The final 2:36 of the frame was all Arcadia, as the Knights ended the half on a 10-3 run on 5-6 shooting from the free throw line along with a three from sophomore Susan Bossler. After shooting 55.2% over the opening two quarters, the Knights took a 49-36 lead to the break.
 
The hosts cut the Knights' lead to three just before the midway point of the third quarter. However, the Scarlet and Grey defense would bend but not break as the team took a 63-61 lead to the decisive fourth quarter.
 
Sophomore Sammy Downham deposited a three with 8:02 to go to extend the lead to 71-66, before Hood tied the game at 71 two minutes later. The score was tied twice over the final 10 minutes of play, however the Knights never allowed the opposition to gain a lead. The defense stood strong allowing just one field goal over the final 4:34, with senior Imani Alston sealing the game with a steal with two ticks left on the clock.
 
ARCADIA LEADERS: Fiocca capped her career with a double-double,leading all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds, she also tied a game-high with five assists. She was joined in double-figures by Bossler (14), Downham (13) and sophomore Olivia Roseman (12).
 
HOOD LEADERS: Taylor McGaughey scored 19 points to lead the Blazers, while being joined in double figures by Deaja Colden (18), Dajah Gee (14) and Allie Appleby (13). Colden posted a team-leading nine rebounds, while Gee matched the game-high with five assists.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Knights shot 40.6% (26-64) from the floor, including 9-19 (47.4%) from distance, while going 16-23 (69.6%) at the charity stripe. The Blazers shot 54.7% (29-53) for the game, including 8-18 (44.4%) from beyond the arc, while going 10-16 (62.5%) from the free throw line.