By PJ Potter – STAFF WRITER
Rokas Gustys recorded his second consecutive 20/20 game to lead the Hofstra men’s basketball team to a 96-92 triple overtime victory over Northeastern.
“That’s a staggering figure for him to do that,” head coach Joe Mihalich said.
This is the first time since 2006 the Hofstra program went to three extra periods, which was a win against UNCW.
“This is what we want. We want to play a game like this to get us ready for the big games in March when it’s for all the marbles,” Mihalich said.
Gustys, who finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds, now has ten career double-doubles, including five straight this season.
Denton Koon scored 22 points, his most in a Hofstra uniform, with 11 coming in the first overtime. Koon nailed four shots over a two-minute span to give the Pride a 76-71 lead.
However, the Huskies answered back, sinking two layups with under a minute left in regulation to tie the game and send it to double overtime.
Northeastern made all nine of their points from beyond the arc in the second extra period, but Hofstra managed to claw their way back with two late free throws and a layup to tie the game at 87.
Heading into the third overtime, Hofstra opened up the period with a free throw from Koon and a three point play from Brian Bernardi.
Jimmy Marshall quickly answered with a three-pointer for Northeastern to cut the lead to just one point. T.J. Williams then gave the Huskies a 92-91 lead with 2:01 remaining.
But, Northeastern didn’t score another point from that moment forward. Juan’ya Green, who ended the game with 23 points and a season-high 14 assists, hit what would be the game-winner with a jump shot to put Hofstra up 93-92.
“I don’t know who the best player in the league is, but I wouldn’t trade him [Green] for anybody,” Mihalich said.
Bernardi, the CAA leader in free throw percentage (.900), then hit a pair of free throws followed by one made by Koon.
Bernardi rounded out the game with ten points and seven rebounds, a season best for him.
Ameen Tanksley finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The biggest test of the game was to see which team was more conditioned than the other. In the end, it turns out both squads have players willing to sacrifice themselves until the clock officially hits zero.
Juan’ya Green, Rokas Gustys, Denton Koon, Brian Bernardi, David Walker, and Quincy Ford ended the game with at least 50 or more minutes played. Ameen Tanksley, Zach Stahl, and T.J. Williams logged in at least 40 minutes each.
“We showed incredible resiliency tonight,” Mihalich noted.
Hofstra defeated Northeastern in hustle stats, outrebounding the Huskies 60-32 and outscoring them 42-28 in the paint and 19-8 on second chance opportunities.
“Every player, the whole team, every possession is what it takes to win a game like this. We could’ve quit 100 times, they made every shot it seemed like,” Coach Mihalich said.
Northeastern managed to stay in the game in great credit to their three point shooting, going 17-for-34 overall.
Quincy Ford made four of those three pointers, totaling 19 points and five rebounds. David Walker also added four trifectas, amassing 18 points and 13 assists.
Zach Stahl contributed 19 points for the Huskies, along with 11 rebounds and five assists.
The Pride remains in first place atop the Colonial Athletic Association with a 5-2 record tied with UNCW, James Madison, and William & Mary.
Northeastern is now tied for sixth in the conference at 4-3 with Towson.
This was Coach Mihalich’s first victory over Northeastern, improving his team to 13-6 this season and 5-2 in CAA play.
Hofstra returns to action Saturday against William & Mary in Hempstead starting at 4 p.m.
