Hofstra scores fifth straight, takes control of CAA standings with win over Charleston

Eli Pemberton skies over two Charleston defenders for two of his 28 points as Hofstra avenged last month’s loss to Cougars. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Twice this season, Hofstra has been confronted with adversity in Colonial Athletic Association play. Each time, it has bounced back to turn a seismic loss into a distant memory.

Last month, the Pride shook off a 27-point defeat at the hands of William & Mary with an authoritative takedown of Elon as Desure Buie erupted for 44 points. Then, following back-to-back last-second losses to Charleston and Delaware, Hofstra stormed back with four straight wins to assume the lead in the CAA standings entering Thursday’s rematch with the Cougars.

Behind 28 points from Eli Pemberton, the Pride continued its latest surge, drawing first blood on the scoreboard and never looking back, scoring its fifth straight victory by upending Charleston, 76-63, to not only exact a measure of retribution, but also firmly position itself atop the conference field with seven games remaining in the regular season.

“They really answered the bell,” head coach Joe Mihalich remarked as Hofstra (19-7, 10-3 CAA) expanded its cushion to one game over current league runner-up Delaware. “The stage was set, and we were fortunate enough to get a high-level performance from Elijah.”

“I was just keeping the game simple,” said Pemberton, whose production echoed his 26-point performance in last year's home win over Charleston. “Coach has been talking about that. It definitely did something, but I just wanted to go out there and keep first place.”

Pemberton's backcourt running mate, Desure Buie, took on the role of aggressor early and often Thursday, opening the scoring with a layup preceded by a steal in the open floor, then draining a 3-pointer straight away in the face of Charleston point guard Grant Riller, whose six-point opening stanza against Hofstra’s 2-3 zone defense set a tone on both ends of the floor. The Cougars stayed within earshot of the Pride through the duration of the first half, but a late run by the hosts afforded Hofstra the comfort of a 41-30 lead at the intermission. Riller would ultimately heat up out of the halftime break, scoring 21 of his 27 points in the final 20 minutes, but Pemberton matched his senior counterpart shot for shot and punch for punch down the stretch, ensuring a season sweep would not be earned.

With the victory, Hofstra now sets its sights on Saturday's matchup with UNC Wilmington, a precursor to a pivotal road trip to Drexel and Delaware, the latter of whom handed the Pride its most recent loss on January 23 in a game that could end up being a teaching moment for the preseason CAA favorite. Three weeks since that loss on a coast-to-coast layup, the message has been favorably received.

“You could get all technical here and say we need to rebound better, play defense better, dribble better, pass better, shoot better,” Mihalich said. “But I think what we really learned is when we play the game the right way, when we respect every possession, take personal what we’re doing out there, then we’re at our best.”