The Hofstra men’s basketball team extended their win streak to nine in dominating fashion with a 73-43 home victory over the Hampton University Pirates on Thursday. Feb. 16. The win was Hofstra’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) leading 14th win, as well as their 13th win in their last 14 games. Hofstra used an offensive onslaught in the first half to build an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 30-point win over Hampton.
“Great job by the boys,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “From beginning to end we took it to them and there was no letup.”
Aaron Estrada once again led Hofstra in scoring, recording 21 points on 9-18 shooting in 27 minutes played. Tyler Thomas and Warren Williams also found themselves in double figures, recording 13 and 12 points respectively.
Hofstra used a white-hot start to the game to put Hampton out of reach early, led by Estrada and Thomas, Hofstra jumped out to an early double-digit lead and by the time the first half was over, Hofstra had 45 points. Hofstra could have scored zero points in the second half of the game, and still would have been victorious over the Pirates, due in large part to the defensive strides made by Hofstra.
“We’re staying well connected and preparing well.” Said Estrada when asked about what made the team so successful on defense. “Knowing our guy’s tendencies, knowing what guys like to do, knowing what guys don’t like to do. All of those things are what’s leading us to success on the defensive side.”
Hofstra was relentless on the defensive side of the ball recording 10 steals and nine blocks, as well as forcing 16 turnovers. Three of those steals were recorded by sophomore guard Jaquan Carlos. Despite only scoring three points in the game, Carlos continued to fill up the stat sheet everywhere else. Carlos recorded 10 rebounds and eight assists to go along with the three points and three steals. Claxton had high praise for the continued
“He finds all these guys. He knows where they like to get the basketball, he’s the distributor playmaker. He’s an integral part of what we do.”
Although Hofstra took their foot off the gas later in the game, it did not change the outcome of the contest, Hofstra was able to get every member of their roster into the game, with freshman guard Aidan Best recording the third and fourth points of his Hofstra career on free throws.
Hofstra, now 14-2 in CAA play and 21-8 overall, controls their destiny. Wins in their final two games would secure the number one seed in the CAA tournament in early March. A win and a College of Charleston loss at any point this season would also secure Hofstra the number-one seed in the CAA tournament. Hofstra will look to take the next step on the road to the CAA tournament when they travel to Stony Brook for the second leg of the battle of Long Island. The game will take place Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
