By Steven Wolff – STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra women’s basketball team edged past the UNCW Seahawks in Wilmington by a final score of 68-64 on Friday morning.
After the Pride fought back into contention from an 11-point deficit, senior guard Darius Faulk turned the tides in the final 1:30.
Faulk’s last-minute spark scored five points to ultimately give Hofstra the victory. She read the floor well to grab a steal and a turnover, scoring back-to-back fast-break layups and one free throw.
Not just her five-point swing but her defense catapulted the Pride’s comeback. Hofstra held the Seahawks to 26 points in the second half, and just seven in the fourth quarter.
The Pride turned the tables through limiting the Seahawks’ chances of scoring off turnovers.
Faulk committed six of Hofstra’s 14 turnovers in the first two quarters, which led to UNCW’s 21-4 edge in points off turnovers. The second half consisted of one extra turnover by Faulk and five in total by the Pride. Hofstra turned their weakness into a minor strength with a 3-2 difference in their favor.
Additionally, junior guard Kelly Loftus and sophomore forward Ashunae Durant each scored 21 points. They are currently the top two scorers for Hofstra, Loftus is averaging 13.7 points and Durant averaging 12.1 per game.
“The will to win from Darius Faulk at the end, and the competitive play between her, Kelly, and Ashunae was amazing. Just three extremely competitive kids on that floor,” Hofstra head coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey said after the game.
The Pride won three of their first four conference games, including seven of their last eight after their UNCW win.
Part of the reason why they have gotten off to this quick start in the conference, is their efficiency from the field.
Hofstra shot about 56 percent overall, and 71 percent in the first half. Durant was 9-for-11 and Loftus was 8-of-17, shouldering the Pride to the comeback win.
Yet, Seahawks rising junior guard Shatia Cole triggered Hofstra’s early deficit, scoring 17 points in the first half and 23 on the day.
Another key to Hofstra’s comeback victory was the rebounding advantage. Hofstra outrebounded the Seahawks 34-25, in part due to junior center Sandra Dongmo.
Off the bench, she contributed with a solid performance for the Pride, scoring seven points and grabbing eight boards. She has given the Pride another solid option in the paint, whether it be scoring a basket, or getting a crucial rebound.
The win improves Hofstra to 12-3 on the year and 3-1 in CAA play. UNCW falls to 5-10 on the season have lost 3 of their first 4 in the Colonial. The Pride will look to continue their winning ways when they return home to face William & Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m.
