The Hofstra Pride women’s basketball team lost to the James Madison University Dukes by a final score of 68-63, on Sunday, Feb. 27. The loss dropped Hofstra’s record to 6-18 for the season and 3-13 in conference play.
All eyes were on the seniors in this one, as Hofstra played their final home game of the season and held a ceremony to celebrate the graduating class. The Pride came to play early on with an 11-2 run, capped off by a fastbreak three-pointer by Selma Markisic. The Pride continued to stay in front throughout the first, with Jaylen Hines accounting for eight of Hofstra’s 17 first quarter points. James Madison ended the quarter strong, cutting the Pride’s lead down to three, 17-14, heading into the second.
In the second quarter, the Dukes were able to grab their first lead of the game, 20-19, with 7:19 left to play. The Pride retook the lead, 26-25, after a jumper by Hines. Both teams traded baskets, as neither could get a stop or gain momentum. James Madison held the slight lead, 33-31, going into halftime.
The Pride kept James Madison in check during the third quarter, as Hofstra gave up only seven points. Hofstra was able to gain momentum in the final minutes of the quarter, with Markisic and Rosi Nicholson leading the charge for the Pride. A three-pointer by Nicholson gave Hofstra a seven-point lead, 47-40, going into the fourth.
The fourth quarter started where the third ended for the Pride, with Markisic knocking down a three-point shot to make it 50-42, with 9:27 to play. James Madison continued to fight, cutting the lead down to one, 54-53 with 5:58 left on the clock. Markisic responded with her fourth three-pointer of the game to bring the lead up to four.
In the final minutes, James Madison retook the lead 60-59 after a three-point shot by Brianna Tinsley. The Pride quickly took the lead back after a layup by Hines, with 1:06 to go. The Dukes then scored six consecutive points, converting on four free throws to make it a 66-61 game with only 14 seconds left. Another layup by Hines made it a one possession game, but James Madison was able to inbound the ball and successfully convert on its two free throw attempts, sealing a 68-63 victory.
For JMU, Kiki Jefferson scored 23 points with six rebounds. Jaylin Carodine had a double-double, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tinsley added 14 points.
For Hofstra, Hines had a big day in her final home game, scoring 22 points while shooting 10-19 from the floor, and also added nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Markisic had 18 points and shot 7-13 from the field. Nicholson added 13 points and six rebounds in the defeat.
“I’m so proud of these seniors and the careers that they’ve had here at Hofstra,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “They’ve worked tremendously hard and not only on the floor but off the floor, in the classroom, and just to see them shine on their final game here at home was something special. You obviously want to get the W and the win for them on their last night, and we came up short, but [I’m] just really grateful to have had the opportunity to have them on our team and a part of our program.”
Hofstra heads back on the road to take on the College of Charleston on Thursday, Mar. 3.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
