The Hofstra University women’s basketball team fell 66-50 to the Monmouth University Hawks on Sunday, March 3. The Pride dropped to 9-18 overall on the season and 3-13 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play while the Hawks improved their record to 19-8 overall with a 12-4 standing in the conference.
This was the first matchup between Hofstra and Monmouth this season. It was the 14th all-time game between these two conference rivals, with the Pride now having lost seven in a row to the Hawks.
The Pride struggled to score right from tip-off; the game had the fourth-lowest number of field goals made all season for Hofstra. The Pride only managed to put the ball in the basket 16 times in 57 attempts. Hofstra shot 28.1% from the field, which is their fourth-worst shooting performance all year. Hofstra had just four field goals at halftime.
Scoring from the field was just the start of the offensive woes. Hofstra couldn’t capitalize from the charity line, going 14-22. Senior forward Brooke Anya led the Pride in scoring with 7 points on just 1-10 shooting from the field.
“I thought we got great shots … I thought we were able to get good shots, especially there at the rim.” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “It’s in our head at this point, and it’s a mental block. We’ve got to be able to just set up, step up and hit those shots. We are more than capable and have the ability to do so; now it’s just about having the confidence to step up and get it.”
Unfortunately, the offense was only part of the problem for the Pride. Hofstra turned the ball over 13 times and allowed the Hawks to score 17 points off those costly mistakes. Turning the ball over has been a consistent issue all season, averaging 18.6 turnovers per game on the year.
The Pride’s defense had no answer for the Hawks’ offensive production, allowing three players to score double figures. Monmouth was in total control most of the game, with the Pride only leading for a little over one minute during the contest. Late in the fourth quarter, the Hawks had an insurmountable 26-point lead. The Pride couldn’t slow the Hawks down, allowing them to shoot a very efficient 47.9% that afternoon.
Despite the tough loss, Hofstra honored their six seniors before the game. Anya, Sorelle Ineza, Zyheima Swint, Janaia Fargo, Ally Knights and Maniya Custis each received a framed jersey along with a touching tribute video. Most of the roster was brought to tears as the video rolled as the realization set in that this was their last home game in front of the Hofstra faithful and with their talented teammates.
“We’ve got a group of seniors that have really poured into this program and have left a mark and impact for sure,” Santos said. “Being a part of the foundation of this program, they’re just such great basketball players, but just special people to me and my family. They have been and have become a part of our family at Hofstra but also a part of my family at home … just incredible people that have made an impact on so many.”
This year has been a challenging one for Hofstra. With two games left in the regular season, the Pride looks toward the CAA tournament. Currently, Hofstra is sitting as the No. 12 seed in the conference, which would put them in a first-round battle with the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks.
Hofstra will look to snap their four-game losing streak against the Elon University Phoenix. Tip-off is set for Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at the Schar Center.
Photo courtesy of Michelle Rabinovich/Hofstra Chronicle
