In their second matchup of the season, the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball team showed no mercy in dismantling the University of Delaware Blue Hens, 86-62, on Saturday afternoon.
“It was a great win for us,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “Hats off to Delaware, they are a really good team. But we knew they were gonna bring it and we wanted to be ready to defend home court, which we did. I’m proud of my guys.”
Both teams struggled offensively out of the gates, with neither holding an early advantage. It was only until Hofstra forward Warren Williams dominated down low in the paint, which helped the Pride pull ahead of the Blue Hens.
Williams controlled the reigns in the paint with another exceptional game. With 17 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, Williams tied the game-high. His big man size is what the Pride has been looking for on offense and defense. In the last four games, Williams has averaged nearly 14 points off the bench.
“He’s been tremendous,” said Claxton. “I would say he’s the best big that we have had since I’ve been here. He’s alone, down there and whenever he’s in the game, we are gonna keep going to him. He changes the game when he comes in for us.”
With a 37-25 lead at halftime, the Pride maintained their comfortable lead. Hofstra’s Aaron Estrada rebounded in the second after a tough first half. Estrada finished the game tied with Williams for 17 points, including a team lead in rebounds with seven, also adding four steals.
However, Pride’s Tyler Thomas and Jaquan Carlos solidified the second half with easy shots from inside the paint and beyond the three-point line. In the second half alone, Hofstra shot 58% from the field and 86% from behind the arc, compared to a 40% and 33% stat line respectfully in the first half.
Carlos finished the afternoon with 14 points and five steals in the game. His versatility boosted the Pride to a commanding 20-point lead in the second half.
“He’s been great all year,” said Claxton. “He had a rough freshman year, but he was patient and he’s seeing it now. He’s a key contributor to our team. He’s our leader and the sky’s the limit for this kid. I’m proud of him.”
In the last few games, today included the Pride’s defense continued to produce with only Delaware’s Ebby Asamoah and Jyare Davis scoring in double figures with 13 and 10 points respectively. Hofstra controlled the floor the entire game with 33% shooting from the field and 23.6% from three-point range for the Blue Hens.
“Our most important key was to protect the paint, which we did, said Claxton. “Our guys were tremendous all night with double teams and rotations.”
Despite Delaware maintaining Estrada to 17 points compared to their last start, in which Estrada scored 31 in their first matchup, the Blue Hens couldn’t get over the hump with their star guard Jameer Nelson Jr. out due to injury.
“Their starting point guard was out. He’s a first-team all-league guy,” said Claxton. “But I thought we were dialed into the game plan and good on the defensive end.”
The Pride will head on the road for one game against the Towson University Tigers on Monday, Jan. 16 at the SECU Arena. The Pride will be looking to extend their four-game win streak. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Evan Bernstein
