The Hofstra men’s basketball team returns home to face off against SUNY College of Old Westbury Panthers on Thursday, Dec. 22. This will be the Pride’s last non-conference game of the season.

Currently at a 6-6 record, The Pride enters the David S. Mack Exhibition Center seeking their first win since Nov. 27 against Quinnipiac University. Meanwhile, the Panthers stand at 1-7 on the season.

In Hofstra’s last appearance, they came off the hardwood with a 77-70 loss against the University of South Florida, marking the Pride’s fourth consecutive loss.

 “Lack of toughness,” said Hofstra men’s basketball head coach Speedy Claxton about the team’s performance in Tampa. “We will not beat anybody if we don’t get tougher. We [got to] get tougher.” 

In his first game back after missing the previous two due to injury, star player Aaron Estrada led the team in scoring with 21 points. Alongside him were Tyler Thomas and Darlinstone Dubar with 17 points each.

The Panthers head into Hempstead following their seventh loss against the City College of New York 83-61. Old Westbury has struggled offensively all season, getting their only win so far on Dec. 10 against St. Joseph’s University-Brooklyn. Max Weinberg is the biggest potential threat that the Pride needs to keep an eye out for, averaging 7.8 points per game. On the other side of the court, Old Westbury’s defense has also been lackluster, with each of their seven losses more than 20 points behind their opponent.

Hofstra welcomes local school students to celebrate the annual “Class at the Court” day at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The game will be broadcasted on wrhu.org via the Hofstra Alternative Web Channel, and will also be aired on FloHoops. Tip-off is at 11:30 a.m.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Galvin/Hofstra Athletics