The Gophers (0-2) trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, but when James Russo nailed three-point baskets on three straight possessions in the second half, head coach Leonard Trevino's squad suddenly found itself in a 46-46 tie with 12:59 remaining. Russo, who connected five times from three-point range in the contest, finished with 23 points.
Merritt's layup produced the 48-48 tie, but then the Gophers went without a single point for more than five minutes. By the time the dry spell ended with a three-point basket from Justin Ajose, Hood had once again opened up a double-digit lead by reeling off the 11 unanswered points.
Jesse Gutekunst, who ignited the decisive 11-0 run with a conventional three-point play, was the leading scorer for the Blazers (1-1) as he matched Russo's 23-point performance.
Merritt and Jonathan Garritt both supplied the Gophers with 11 points.