FREDERICK, MD – The Notre Dame of Maryland men's basketball team tipped off their 2025-2026 season against a strong Hood College team, ultimately falling 108-72 in game one of the Rotary Club of Frederick Tip-Off Tournament.

Anthony Wright got the Gators offense off to a good start with a couple strong drives to the basket. Marlon Lewis came off the bench and made an immediately made an impact with buckets on back-to-back possessions to make it a 12-11 Blazers advantage. After a Ricardo Ross three pointer to cut into the Hood College lead, the Blazers started to pull away with a 10-0 run. 

Hood (1–0) came out firing, hitting 52% of its shots in the first half and burying seven threes to build a 55–25 halftime lead. The Gators (0–1) found better rhythm after the break, scoring 47 points and connecting on 50% of their second-half field goals, but the Blazers' depth proved too much down the stretch.

Pugh led Notre Dame with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three triples, while Ross added 14 points, four steals, and a pair of threes off the bench. Anthony Wright contributed 11 points and six rebounds, and Lewis posted a solid all-around line with 10 points and a team-high nine boards.

The Gators saw encouraging moments from their bench, which combined for 35 points, and they pushed the pace in transition, scoring 22 fast-break points. However, Hood dominated the glass (52–29) and scored 50 points in the paint, controlling the tempo throughout.

Hood featured five players in double figures, led by Jevon Yarbrough's 19 points and Karron Mallory's 17 points and nine rebounds.

The Gators will look to rebound in their second game of the Hood College invitational tournament when they take on the University of Lynchburg on Saturday, November 8 at 1 PM.