By Marco Meglio – STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra Pride dominated play Saturday with an 82-40 win over Coastal Carolina at the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. The win moved the Pride to 5-1 on the season.
Straight from the beginning of the game the Pride outplayed the Chanticleers in all facets. After the game was tied up 8-8, the Pride busted out a 12-3 run to go up 22-11. From there on out the Pride was unstoppable. The first quarter ended 26-13, with Krystal Luciano pouring in 11 points.
The second quarter was nothing short of a defensive clinic for the Pride. Outscoring the Chanticleers 27-0. The Pride ended the half up 53-13, holding Coastal Carolina to 22% shooting. Not a single player had over 6 points for the Chanticleers.
It was not one person who carried the load for the Pride in the first half, as 4 players had 6 or more points. They shot 58% on 20 of 34 shooting. There was no lack or passing in the first half as 13 of their 20 field goals were assisted. In addition, they pilled on 6 steals and 3 blocks. To make matters worse, the Pride outrebounded Coastal Carolina 20-10. By the end of the first half, the game seemed out of reach.
It was a tale of two halves as the Chanticleers looked like they had some life as the second half started, though were too far down to win. Coastal Carolina shot 48% on 12 of 25 shots while also connecting 3 of 5 from downtown. Coastal Carolina guard Ced Gibson had 13 points off 5 of 8 shooting. She also tossed in 3 three pointers in only 14 minutes of action in the second half.
Pride guard Krystal Luciano cooled down in the second half, only scoring 4 points in 15 minutes. With the game pretty much out of reach, there was no reason for the Pride to go at full strength.
Hofstra finished out the game pulling away with the 82-40 victory. A game in which everything clicked, the Pride shot an overall 48% from the field. The main force in the victory was undoubtedly the defense, which forced a season high 27 turnovers. Those turnovers led to 24 points. There was no shortage of offense, even from the bench. As the Prides second squad combined for 38 points off the bench. The rebounding exhibition really showed, as the Pride scored 12 second chance points.
Luciano led the Pride with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Center Sandra Dongmo chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks. The Pride tacked on a total of nine steals, while limiting themselves to only 12 turnovers.
It was definitely a huge bounce-back win, as the Pride took a 73-50 loss the day before to Oregon State. The loss was their first of the season.
The Pride will continue to build on their impressive season as they face University At Buffalo on Wednesday.
