The Hofstra University men’s basketball team got one of its biggest wins in the Speedy Claxton coaching era on Saturday, Dec. 13, upsetting perennial powerhouse Syracuse University. The 70-69 nail-biting triumph may be remembered as one of the defining moments in Hofstra basketball history. It was the Pride’s first-ever victory over Syracuse – one of the most storied basketball programs in National Collegiate Athletic Association history and the all-time seventh most winning program.
The Pride seemed unfazed by the daunting matchup, storming into the JMA Wireless Dome with a high-intensity 40-minute attack. When the final buzzer sounded, Hofstra walked out victorious after an exciting, all-out battle with the Orange.
“I thought my guys played well the whole day,” said Claxton, Hofstra head coach. “Towards the end, we took some shots in transition that we shouldn’t have. [Instead,] we should’ve played [out the clock] and [scored]. Overall, I’m proud of the effort.”
From the opening tip, the Pride looked ready for war. The familiar two-headed backcourt powerhouse, made of junior guard Cruz Davis and freshman Preston Edmead, led the Pride. The dynamic duo powered Hofstra’s offense and scored the team’s first 10 points. Then, Hofstra got a surprising offensive spark from another freshman.
Twelve minutes and 22 seconds into the first half, freshman guard Jaeden Roberts checked into the game and immediately got to work. Roberts made an instant impact coming off the bench, turning into a human flamethrower and scoring 11 points, well above his season average of 5.8 per game. Roberts buried back-to-back threes to ignite the Hofstra offense, then knocked down a third late in the half to give the Pride the lead. It was a fearless play from the freshman on a massive stage.
“[Roberts] is tough, man,” Claxton said. “He’s not scared of the moment. I think the brighter the lights, the better he plays.”
Syracuse matched Hofstra’s tenacious assault in the first half with its own aggressive offense. The Pride’s defense had its hands full with Syracuse senior J.J. Starling, who was sensational since the beginning. Starling exploited Hofstra’s defense, scoring 13 first-half points and knocking down 66% of his attempts from beyond the arc.
After a back-and-forth first half, Syracuse forward Sadiq White Jr. scored a last-second shot to give the Orange a 37-36 lead at halftime.
Syracuse came into the second half poised and prepared. The Orange made key adjustments on defense, cooling down Hofstra’s scorching offensive attacks. The Pride started 0-5 after the intermission. Coming out of the locker room, Syracuse was relentless on both ends of the court. The Orange hit one tough shot after another, and their one-point halftime lead quickly ballooned to a seven-point lead within the first two minutes.
Despite Syracuse’s strong start to the half, Hofstra refused to lie down. Junior guard Davis was lethal, carrying the Pride on his back and finishing with a game high 22 points on an efficient 57% shooting from the field. He was also perfect from behind the arc; his nine assists and one blocked shot added to his sensational play in the JMA Wireless Dome.
“Davis, yet again, was the best player on the court,” Claxton said. “I am speechless; that kid has put in so much hard work. I’m happy he is getting to benefit from the hard work.”
Davis wasn’t the only player wearing blue and gold to have a stellar performance. Hofstra sharpshooter German Plotnikov, a four-year veteran of the team, delivered some of the biggest shots of the night. Plotnikov scored a three-point shot with 10:31 remaining in the second half to give the Pride a 57-49 lead.
Hofstra kept the pressure on, and with 4:34 remaining, Davis delivered a pinpoint assist to forward Victory Onuetu, who converted a contested layup, giving the Pride their largest lead of the night at 10 points.
Syracuse, though, was far from finished. As the game neared its final moments, the Orange had one last spirited surge left. Syracuse’s defense tightened its pressure, stifling Hofstra’s offense. The Orange forced three critical turnovers and held the Pride scoreless for four minutes and 31 seconds.
Syracuse’s offense held up its end as well, erasing Hofstra’s double-digit lead in just over three minutes. Senior guard Nate Kingz was electric all game; however, his fourth and final triple couldn’t have come at a better time. Kingz caught a pass in transition in the left corner and splashed a three-point shot to cut the lead to just one point.
The Orange continued to attack relentlessly, and their tenacity was rewarded in the game’s biggest moments. Syracuse forward William Kyle III ripped down a ferocious offensive rebound over Hofstra forward Onuetu, drawing contact in the process.
Kyle III calmly knocked down both free throws, giving Syracuse a 68-67 lead with 56 seconds remaining.
Davis attempted one last play, bringing the ball up the floor and slicing into the lane, only to run straight into two Syracuse defenders who blocked Davis’ path to the basket, trapping him in the paint as precious seconds ticked off the clock. Smothered and out of options, Davis made a spectacular play – firing a pass along the baseline to a wide-open Plotnikov.
With 13,282 fans on their feet, Plotnikov caught the bullet pass from his star point guard and launched a long-range three-point shot. With 31.9 seconds remaining, the veteran buried it, the ball finding nothing but the bottom of the net and giving Hofstra a 70-69 lead.
White Jr. looked to continue his heroics. He drew contact with 18 seconds left to have a chance to tie the game, but missed the free throw, securing the win for Hofstra.
Saturday’s win over Syracuse was the exclamation point on a tremendous week for the Hofstra’s men’s basketball team. Six days earlier, the Pride took down the University of Pittsburgh, capturing their first Atlantic Coast Conference win since 2015. Hofstra followed up the victory over Pitt with a 69-point blowout of SUNY Old Westbury, then capped off the week with the stunning upset of Syracuse, a former National Champion, on their home court.
Claxton believes his team has finally established its identity, summed up in one word.
“Toughness,” Claxton said. “If we can be the tougher team, every single night we give ourselves an excellent chance at winning.”
After eight days of well-earned rest, Hofstra will return home on Sunday, Dec. 21, to face Quinnipiac University at The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
