Hofstra 70, UNCW 46: Rapid Reaction

By Jason Dimaio (@JasonDimaio1)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — There was plenty at stake Thursday as Hofstra took on UNCW for the first time this year, with the winner gaining sole possession of second place in the Colonial Athletic Association. 

After arguably its worst performance of the year on Monday, Hofstra answered the bell with a quick memory, as the Pride waxed the Seahawks by a score of 70-46.

If you stopped watching this game after the first half, the final outcome may have been a shock, as the first 30 minutes were a rock fight between the two teams. Easy shots were squads easy to come by for either side, but both teams put together runs at different junctures. First, the Pride jumped out to a 13-4 lead with Tyler Thomas scoring the first seven points for Hofstra on what would be a career night for him, scoring a season-high 28 points when all was said and done. UNCW finally settled in the last ten minutes of the opening half, ending the stanza on a 6-0 run and knotting the game up at 30 heading into the intermission.

Out of halftime, something switched. Hofstra was getting anything and everything it wanted. Staking itself out to a 10-2 run, Aaron Estrada accounted for six straight points to give Hofstra a 40-32 lead and put the hosts firmly in the driver's seat the rest of the way. Thomas’ Hofstra-high point total complemented with 17 from Estrada gave the Pride all the firepower it needed tonight as the two combined for one point shy of UNCW’s team total. 

When asked what went right, Speedy Claxton replied, “defense,” with a smile. “Defense wins championships, and that's how we have to play every night. What you saw tonight was Hofstra basketball.”

For a Pride team known more for its offensive weapons, to hold a top three team in the league to 16 points in a half is impressive, and the Pride needs to use this performance as a staple the rest of the season as it now finds itself two games behind Charleston. 

When asked how far along his team is, Claxton quipped: “We've grown a lot. We’re close, we’re getting there, and this is who we need to be every game.”