The Hofstra University men’s basketball team opened their stay at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida, with a demonstrative 102-68 blowout win over the University at Buffalo Buffalo Bulls in the opening round on Monday night. The win evened Hofstra’s record at 2-2 so far this season.
Just six days removed from posting a season-low 60 points in a loss to George Washington University, the Pride nearly matched that total with a 59-point first half en route to crossing the century mark for the third time since 2021 and second time this season.
“I was really happy with the way we came out,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “I thought it was a total team effort.”
All 10 Hofstra players who appeared in the game found their way onto the score sheet. Hofstra assisted on 51.2% of made baskets in the win, while shooting 62.9% from the field and 48.3% from three-point range.
Hofstra was paced by a career-high 30 points from Darlinstone Dubar, with 21 of those points coming in the second half while shooting at a 75% clip. Dubar added to his astonishing stat line with five 3-pointers and five assists, while he also became the first Hofstra player to score 30 or more points since program legend Aaron Estrada did so on Jan. 26 against Elon University.
“[Dubar] was unbelievable, and we’re going to need that,” Claxton said. “He’s had a tremendous couple of games. It’s all because of the hard work that he put in this summer; you can tell that he worked on his game.”
With Dubar leading the way, the Pride raced out to a 59-26 halftime lead in what was evidently their best offensive half of the season thus far. After playing just 8 minutes before fouling out last Tuesday, Nov. 14, Jacco Fritz proved that the best ability is availability, as he carried the Hofstra offense with seven points, eight rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes of action.
“The key was Jacco not being in foul trouble and having him on the court,” Claxton said. “That first group got to play together, and we got to run some offense, so you get a glimpse of what this team can look like.”
While Dubar’s scoring explosion stole the show, Tyler Thomas quietly added 21 points on a smooth 60% mark from the field. Hofstra’s senior leader also notched a season-high five assists as he continues to work towards rounding out his game.
“Tyler had a really good game, even when he missed some shots he would normally make,” Claxton said. “I think both [Thomas] and [Dubar] should have probably had 30.”
Monday’s win sends the Pride through to the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Showcase, where they’ll face the Wright State University Raiders, who earned their first win of the season over the University of Louisiana at Lafayette by a score of 91-85 in the opening round. Tip-off is set for Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Bires
