A stout defense and a strong second half propelled the Hofstra University men’s basketball team to a 74-58 victory over the Norfolk State University Spartans on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
Norfolk State led 32-31 at halftime courtesy of a scorching 53.8% mark from the field, but it was all Hofstra in the second half as the Pride outscored the Spartans 43-26 and held them to a slim 34.6% conversion rate.
“They got off to a hot start, and we just weren’t playing Hofstra basketball on both ends of the floor,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “We were beating ourselves at both ends. Once we stopped that and settled in, we took over in the second half.”
After a second half-meltdown that was plagued by turnovers against Duke University on Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Pride put on an offensive clinic with 23 assists on 26 made baskets in Saturday’s win. On an afternoon where their 3-point barrage wasn’t as potent as usual, the Pride shot 75% from inside the arc and posted their lowest turnover rate of the season.
“Everybody who played contributed,” Claxton said. “The way we shared the basketball was a big key to the game.”
Jaquan Carlos was once again the maestro of Hofstra’s offense, dishing out 10 assists to record his second double-double of the season.
“That’s our point God, that’s what he do,” Claxton said.
Carlos now leads the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and ranks seventh nationally with seven assists per game. The junior has dropped at least seven dimes in each of his last six games, notching an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.6 in that span.
“Lately I’ve learned about being strong with the ball and keeping my head up,” Carlos said. “Speedy’s giving me the right blueprint every game with how it’s going to be.”
After attempting just one field goal in a forgettable performance against Duke, Bryce Washington bounced back in a big way, coming one point shy of his Hofstra career high of 13 points. The graduate student also added three assists and two steals across 32 minutes of action and was awarded the game ball for his efforts.
“For me, my goal is to just go out there and play hard and play the best I can every day,” Washington said. “Some days you’re going to make shots and some days you might not; the same mentality goes into every game.”
The Pride snapped a two-game skid and improved to 7-4 with the win, while also securing a winning record in non-conference play for the tenth consecutive season.
“I think we’re coming together at the right time, just like last year,” Carlos said. “Right after we played that big Purdue game, we came back and figured it out going into conference play, so I’m excited.”
Hofstra will look to carry their newfound momentum into their final two non-conference games against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Saint John’s University. Hofstra will travel to Las Vegas to square off with the Runnin’ Rebels on Thursday, Dec. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. PST.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
