Northeastern 77, Hofstra 68: Rapid Reaction

By Jason Dimaio (@Jaydimaio)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Following his Hofstra team’s second straight loss Thursday, an animated Speedy Claxton did not hold back.

“We just gotta have some f****** toughness and have to have some pride,” the coach remarked after a 77-68 loss to Northeastern. “You can’t just show up and expect to win.”

Now 12-12 on the season and 4-7 in CAA play, the Pride saw 53 of its 68 points come from Jean Aranguren, who scored a career-high 35, and Cruz Davis, who had 18 of his own. However, it was not enough as Hofstra fell to .500 on the year.

“Guys just have to make shots,” Claxton said. “They have to be confident shooters, and when you have

an opportunity to shoot the basketball, shoot it with confidence.”

The Pride shot only 36 percent from the field for the game and 29 percent from three-point range. Even with Aranguren’s explosion and Davis’ solid night, Hofstra was unable to develop a consistent third scoring option, with the next-highest point total coming from Michael Graham, who only scored six points.

Both teams had offensive lapses Thursday, with easy buckets missed on both ends. Hofstra never was able to get into an offensive rhythm, but its

defense held serve to keep the Pride in contention throughout the night.

Northeastern took a 36-29 lead into halftime, but once the intermission was over, the game turned into a slog. There was no flow to be found to the second stanza, as both teams found themselves in

the double bonus by the 9-minute mark. Still, Hofstra would not let its deficit expand larger than seven points, as the Pride uncorked a 10-3 run over the next five minutes, with Aranguren sparking the rally that would tie the score at 56 apiece. Unfortunately for the home side, buckets from that point on came few too often, as Northeastern would seize control with an 11-3 run down the stretch, effectively icing a road win.

Both Graham and German Plotnikov both exited the game due to injuries. Plotnikov needed to be helped off the court in the second half.

A get-right opportunity awaits Hofstra on Saturday as the Pride welcomes Long Island rival Stony Brook to Nassau County. The Seawolves fell to 1-10 in CAA play Thursday after a loss to Towson, and sit 5-19 overall.