The Hofstra University men’s basketball team opened The Cathedral Classic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a narrow win over La Salle University, 63-58 on Friday, Nov. 28.
The Pride won their third game of the season, improving to 3-3. On the other hand, the Explorers fall to 3-4 to begin the year.
With about eight minutes to go in the game, La Salle trailed by nine points. However, the Explorers were able to score nine unanswered points across nearly six minutes to tie the game late. Despite the late push, the Pride were able to hold on to the win.
“We had a couple of empty possessions, and they were able to come back, but thank god we weathered the storm,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton.
One goal for Claxton’s Pride heading into the game was to hold the Explorers to less than sixty points. Hofstra was able to do just that and held La Salle to 58 points, the Pride’s best defensive output this year.
The first half saw the contest flip back and forth with eight lead changes. Hofstra was looking for threes as they shot six-for-15 from beyond the arc in the half. Meanwhile, La Salle looked to play the interior as they only attempted five shots from deep, converting one. Through the first half, The Pride led 34-30.
In the second half, Hofstra saw their offensive production slow down as their three-point percentage dropped nearly 13 percent. Although their shooting efficiency decreased, the Pride maintained the lead due to the Explorers struggling shooting performance. La Salle were only able to capitalize on a third of their shots in the second half going 11-for-33.
Cruz Davis played all 40 minutes for the fourth time this season, registering 22 points and five assists for his third 20-plus point performance of the season.
“[Cruz is] easing into his role as being the go-to guy, being the Batman. Honestly, he’s getting better each and every game in Philadelphia,” Claxton said.
Freshman Preston Edmead struggled shooting throughout the game; however, he stepped up to the plate late in the second half with a game-sealing step back 3-pointer. Edmead totaled 11 points along with five assists for the Pride.
“[Edmead] wasn’t even having a great game. So, for him to be able to not just make the shot, but to take that shot says a lot about him,” Claxton said. “The moment is never too big for that kid.”
Biggie Patterson and German Plotnikov also reached double-digit point totals with 13 and 12 respectively. Silas Sunday led the Pride in rebounds with six.
The Pride looked to continue their success in The Cathedral Classic on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m. when they tipped off against Merrimack College from The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merrimack came into the contest 2-5 on the year, following a 77-65 loss against the University of Pennsylvania.
