By PJ Potter – STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra men’s basketball team snapped their four game winning streak with a 72-61 road loss to the College of Charleston at TD Arena.
For the first time since Nov. 23rd against Indiana State, Brian Bernardi, who ranks 8th in the NCAA in three-point shooting percentage, did not tally a field goal from beyond the arc. The Staten Island native totaled just two points for the Pride, which ties a season low for him.
“Their game plan was to keep our perimeter guys from feeling comfortable out there, so give them some credit for that,” said Hofstra Head Coach Joe Mihalich.
The rest of the Hofstra starting lineup finished in double digit scoring, led by Rokas Gustys and Ameen Tanksley with 16 points each. Gustys reeled in 10 rebounds to register his 5th double-double this season.
“[Gustys] has been playing really well. They had their way with our perimeter guys, but they didn’t have their way with him. He did a good job,” Mihalich said.
Starting forward Denton Koon added 13 points and point guard Juan’ya Green posted ten. Ranked 13th in the country with 6.6 assists per game, Green dished out five helpers with seven rebounds.
Despite the stellar offensive performances from four of the Pride’s starters, Hofstra was outscored 37-24 in the second half. Averaging 81.9 points per game, Hofstra managed to score their season worst 61 points.
“We weren’t tough on offense. We let them take us out of our offense,” Mihalich noted.
College of Charleston came out after halftime and forced three quick turnovers to give them a 40-39 lead in the opening two minutes, including a three-pointer by the Cougars’ Marquise Pointer. Pointer racked up a team-high 19 points, along with six assists and two steals.
The Pride shot 10-for-28 in the final 20 minutes of the game and 1-for-8 on three-pointers. The Cougars, on the other hand, made 15 of their 25 shots.
College of Charleston outscored Hofstra 42-30 in the paint and 21-9 from three-point land. Starting guards Cameron Johnson and Payton Hulsey had 12 points each. Johnson also came away with six rebounds and two blocks. Hulsey, who shot 5-for-7, hauled in five boards and three assists. Nick Harris and Jarrell Brantley each finished with 10 points and combined for 12 rebounds.
Hofstra’s substitutes were only able to record four points in 33 combined minutes. Malik Nichols and Desure Buie each nailed a jump shot for the Pride coming off the bench.
“Every game’s a war. Every game’s a battle. I’ve been doing this a long time, I can’t think of a year where all ten teams, no matter who you are playing, is going to be like this,” Mihalich said describing the overall even competition and level of intensity in the Colonial Athletic Association this season.
Hofstra, now 10-5 and 2-1 in the CAA, will continue their conference play Saturday against Elon starting at 6 p.m.
