Hofstra battles, takes Charleston to limit before falling short in narrow loss

Jean Aranguren (7) flirted with triple-double as Hofstra fought valiantly, but fell just short against Charleston. (Photo by Matteo Bracco/Hofstra Athletics)

By Jason Dimaio (@Jaydimaio)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Following Hofstra's loss last week against William & Mary, Speedy Claxton said his team had to get in the gym and get extra shots up from the three-point line following a poor shooting night.

As the Pride returned home Thursday on the heels of a defensive masterpiece in a win over Northeastern, that sentiment stayed the same. However, Hofstra’s shots did not fall as often as Claxton or fans would have hoped, with the Pride only finding the mark from deep at a 26 percent clip in a 67-61 loss to College of Charleston at the Mack Sports Complex.

“I can't be mad at our guys tonight,” an encouraged Claxton conceded despite the shooting struggles. “I thought we played great.”

A rare underdog on its home floor, the Pride answered the challenge from Charleston at the tip, breaking down the two-time reigning CAA champion Cougars’ defense. Hofstra (9-7, 1-2 CAA) attacked the rim in the opening half, going at CAA Preseason Player of the Year Ante Brzovic early and often. With five seconds left before the intermission, the Pride went the length of the court, finding Jean Aranguren for a corner three, establishing a seven-point lead, matching the largest of the night. But before the hosts could really flex their muscles, Deywick Tavarez hit a half-court shot at the horn, silencing the home crowd and cutting Charleston’s deficit back down to four entering the locker room, at 31-27.

What was arguably the Pride's best half of the season given the opponent, felt a bit lessened after the buzzer-beater, and from there, the momentum changed. Out of the halftime break, Charleston blitzed Hofstra for an 8-0 run as Brzovic awoke. The senior scored 14 of his 23 points in the final period, also finishing the game with 11 rebounds. Hofstra would not lead again after the Cougars’ run to begin the second stanza.

Charleston's defense was key. After the intermission, head coach Chris Mack made the adjustment to pack the paint and force Hofstra to shoot. Hofstra would hit just two threes in the second half, going 6-for-23 for the game from behind the arc.

“We were right there, we were in position to win,” Claxton remarked. “We just had a two-minute stretch to start the second half where they went on an 8-0 run, and that was the game.”

While the Charleston lead stayed within striking distance, never reaching more than nine, Hofstra could just not get over the hump despite heroics from Aranguren, who finished just three assists shy of a triple-double, posting 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven helpers. The only other member of the Pride to score in double figures Thursday was Michael Graham, who posted 16 points. Starting guard Jaquon Sanders did not play Thursday due to personal issues, but Claxton told the media he expects the junior to return to the team shortly.

Hofstra continues its homestand Saturday, when the Pride welcomes UNCW to Long Island. Tipoff for that contest is slated for 1 p.m.