Hofstra stuns Rutgers in OT for first postseason win since 2006

Tyler Thomas (23) hits eventual game-winning basket as Hofstra upset Rutgers for program’s first postseason win in 17 years with NIT victory over Scarlet Knights. (Photo by Andy Mills/NJ Advance Media)

By Jason Dimaio (@JasonDimaio1)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Nelson Boachie-Yiadom had a fitting description of the atmosphere inside Jersey Mike’s Arena Tuesday as Hofstra opened the National Invitation Tournament. 

“It was like a heavyweight fight with both teams throwing haymakers,” the graduate forward said as the Pride faced a Rutgers team out to avenge its NCAA Tournament snub, and walked away with an 88-86 overtime victory for the program’s first postseason win since 2006.

While both teams entered the NIT on the heels of disappointing ends to both of their respective seasons, it certainly did not feel like a consolation game on the Rutgers campus. Over 5,000 Rutgers fans and students packed the stands, giving Hofstra its toughest road environment to play in since visiting Purdue in December. At the start of the game, Hofstra was flustered by the raucous atmosphere, with multiple unforced turnovers, rushed shot selection and an out-of-sorts defense combining to force Speedy Claxton to call a timeout just over three minutes into the game, trailing 14-4. Slowly but surely, the Pride settled in, breaking Rutgers’ press and finding multiple openings in the Scarlet Knight defense. The Pride didn’t rely on one man, as Dstone Dubar led the team at the half with nine points. Jaquan Carlos and Tyler Thomas provided seven points each in the opening stanza as well. Despite eight turnovers and Cam Spencer scoring 16 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, Hofstra only trailed by five at the intermission, keeping the margin to 40-35.

As the second half started, defensive lapses allowed Rutgers to go ahead by as many as eight and the underlying theme of the half was Aaron Estrada’s foul trouble. Still, Claxton made it work, keeping Estrada on the floor as he was a key in the Pride's climb back into the game. With 12 minutes remaining, Estrada hit a three to give Hofstra its first lead of the night, but it was short-lived as Rutgers counterpunched with a 9-0 run to retake a 62-56 advantage.

At the 6:51 mark, on a drive to the basket, Paul Mulcahy threw what seemed to be an elbow, extending his arm at Estrada’s chest and knocking him to the floor, but the officials deemed it a blocking foul. An irate Claxton couldn’t believe the call, holding his arms out in disbelief as his star senior guard fouled out in what could have been his last game in a Hofstra uniform.

Nonetheless, the Pride adjusted to the adversity. Bryce Washington checked in and Carlos continued to be a floor general as Hofstra relied on multiple big time shots from Dubar and two circus turnaround jumpers from Thomas down the stretch. Down 70-69, Hofstra didn’t make it easy on Rutgers to get a clean look, as Cliff Omoruyi missed a layup late in the shot clock, but Caleb Mcconnell was there for the offensive rebound and one-handed jam. On the ensuing possession, down three with 58 seconds left, Claxton opted not to call a timeout to draw up a play. Rutgers’ press had the Pride uncomfortable, as Hofstra was not able get off an easy pass and Thomas missed a deep three, which Rutgers rebounded and fed McConnell for a transition layup. 

Hofstra was not done yet, however, as Thomas pulled up for a quick three and pulled the Pride within two. Hofstra proceeded to foul Derek Simpson shortly thereafter, but the freshman missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving the visitors a chance to tie the game with 18 seconds left and no timeouts. Yet again, the Rutgers defense suffocated Hofstra, forcing Carlos to take a contested three at the top of the key which bounced off the iron into the hands of Boachie-Yiadom, who made the short jumper off the offensive board to knot the game at 74 apiece with 2.2 seconds remaining. Steve Pikiell called timeout and tried to set up a miracle shot, but it didn’t come close and both teams headed to overtime deadlocked at 74.

The overtime period was nothing short of a shootout. Both teams fired on all cylinders as Hofstra jumped out to a 78-74 lead, but Rutgers would not fold, quickly answering with a three of its own from Simpson. Carlos would hit a three for the Pride, which was answered by Spencer as each team went blow for blow. With 32 seconds left in the extra session, Simpson tied the game at 86, but Thomas’ heroics with a pull-up jumper to give Hofstra the lead once again with nine seconds left. Rutgers had one last chance to force a tie or steal a win, but Simpson’s layup fell short and the Scarlet Knights were unable to secure the rebound.

“It’s pretty cool,” Boachie-Yiadom said of the postseason victory. “This one's up there for sure. The way the CAA tournament ended, we were just ready to lock in for the postseason. The chance to play in the NIT is incredible. Everyone’s going to talk about my game-tying shot, but we had guys firing on every possession.” 

Although humble, the performance from the Davidson transfer cannot be understated, as he went for 10 points and eight rebounds while holding his own against Omoruyi.

As is always the case in the NIT, there are questions for the teams competing in this tournament of whether they can mentally get up for it. Claxton made sure his guys were ready. 

“It’s a great tournament,” he said. “Obviously we were both hoping for the big one, but sometimes you just need to get through that first game to go on a run. I’m happy (Rutgers) brought the environment tonight. It made it that much easier to get my guys ready.”

The Pride will continue its season this weekend, as Hofstra awaits the winner of Virginia Tech and Cincinnati in the NIT’s second round. Should the Bearcats win, Hofstra would host the game either Saturday or Sunday, as renovations to Cincinnati’s playing surface at Fifth Third Arena preclude the venue from hosting any games beyond Wednesday's opening round.