By Joe Pantorno, Sports Editor
The Hofstra University men’s basketball team made it two straight wins with a decisive 82-59 victory over Colgate before entering its final out of conference match-up against Iona next week.
“Certainly pleased with our outcome but I am mostly pleased with our effort in the second half,” said head coach Mo Cassara. “Our defensive intensity really picked up. A lot of credit to the whole team; we started to share the shots.”
Senior guard Dwan McMillan recorded his second straight double-digit scoring effort with 13 points along with 10 assists for a double-double. McMillan has done well filling in for the injured Stevie Mejia, whose hamstring injury has him out indefinitely.
“I’m incredibly pleased,” said Cassara of McMillan’s play. “He’s been doing a tremendous job, his message has been great every day and he’s instilled a lot of confidence not only in myself but in the half.”
Hofstra had five players in double digits including sophomore guard Shemiye McLendon who scored 15 of his career high 17 points in the second half and junior forward David Imes, whose 10 point effort was much needed after two games of going scoreless.
“In the locker room and in the huddle coach was just telling me to keep my head up,” said McLendon. “Mike’s [Moore] been telling me the past couple of weeks to be more aggressive and score more. That’s what I came out and games.”
Due to injury of Mejia, freshman forward Jereme Good and the departing of junior forward Bryant Crowder, who left the school due to personal reasons, Hofstra had a bench of only eight dressed players, but everyone stepped up.
Sophomore forward Stephen Nwaukoni, who made his first career start, grabbed eight rebounds leading Hofstra on the boards despite being undersized against a larger Colgate team.
“Stephen started tonight which was a new opportunity for him,” said Cassara. “He did some good things and he will continue to battle for us and give us vacation.”