Estrada’s 30 gets Hofstra past Delaware

 

Aaron Estrada’s 30 points were a season high as Hofstra survived Delaware Saturday. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

By Jason Dimaio (@JasonDimaio1)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. —  A game of runs. 

That would be the best terminology to describe the first matchup of the year between Hofstra and Delaware Saturday at the Mack Sports Complex. 

Behind yet another strong performance from junior guard Aaron Estrada, who scored a season-high 30 points, the Pride escaped a seesaw battle and advanced to 10-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play after a 82-77 win over the Blue Hens.

“I feel like I've been able to score a lot and that’s a credit to my coaches,” Estrada said of his latest star turn in a season filled with many strong outings from the Saint Peter’s and Oregon transfer. “Coach Speedy gives me a lot of offensive freedom, (and) that gives me confidence to do what I do. He puts me in position to score and I get it done.”

On most nights, no amount of words is enough to describe how big Estrada has been for the Pride. He has now scored 20 or more points in four consecutive games, and while Zach Cooks is out and Kvonn Cramer is still hurt as well, Estrada has been the focal point of a Hofstra offense forced to play smaller at times.

Outside shooting was the key for Hofstra in securing the win, as Delaware’s size in the paint presented some difficulties, especially with Cramer out and Darlinstone Dubar in early foul trouble. Hofstra was efficient from distance, shooting 43 percent from behind the 3-point arc for the game, a display of marksmanship that enabled it to build an 11-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half before Delaware ripped off a 20-5 run, taking a four-point lead into halftime.

“There’s no quit in this team,” head coach Speedy Claxton reassured. “We got down a little bit, but then we fought back.”

Delaware's lead grew as large as nine in the second half, but Hofstra proceeded to go on a 14-2 run and would take a 47-44 lead that grew as large as 14 points following a 4-point play by Omar Silverio and a technical foul on Delaware right after. Despite one late burst from the Blue Hens, who would go on an 8-0 run to cut the Pride’s lead to 68-65 with four minutes to go in the game, Hofstra would continue to hit shots and clutch free throws to close out the win.

Jalen Ray came off the bench for the first time since his junior year, contributing 23 points in what was a shakeup to the lineup, as Claxton looked for a way to get his senior guard going again.

“If he can give us 23 off the bench every time, then yeah, he’ll be staying there,” Claxton quipped with a laugh. He then followed up his quote, saying, “we’ll see what happens” with regard to the starting lineup going forward.

Claxton stressed the team’s goal of trying to have a full squad, something he has yet to enjoy in his first season at the helm, but that takes a step in the right direction as he confirmed that he expects Cooks back next Saturday against Northeastern.

“We have to get healthy,” Claxton reiterated. “We’ve yet to have a complete team, and once we get everyone back, people's roles are going to change. It seems like whenever we get somebody back, then we lose somebody else.”