The Hofstra Pride women’s basketball team lost at home to the Towson University Tigers, 73-50, on Friday, Feb. 25. The loss dropped the Pride to 6-17 on the season and 3-12 in conference play.

“Last game, we really got close to putting that 40 minutes together and four quarters together,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “Today we came out very slow, came out the gate slow, and dug ourselves a hole that was tough to overcome.”

The Pride struggled to get things going in the first quarter as the Tigers controlled the game throughout. Hofstra shot 20% in the first quarter, going 4-20 from the field. Towson, meanwhile, shot 41.2%, shooting 7-17 from the field. Towson held a 12-point advantage heading into the second quarter, leading 20-8.

Hofstra cut into the deficit early, scoring first in the second quarter with a layup from Caria Reynolds. The Tigers continued to pull away, however, grabbing their largest lead of the game, 24-10, with 8:05 left to play. Three-pointers by Tarriyonna Gary and Aleah Nelson helped give Towson a 10-point lead, 30-20, with 6:06 on the clock. A layup by Sorella Ineza began a short 6-0 run for the Pride, as they looked to cut the lead down to single-digits heading into the second half. Both teams traded baskets in the final minutes, with Towson taking a 38-21 lead to the locker room.

In the third quarter, Hofstra came out more aggressive and executed on easy baskets down low. The Pride cut the lead to 11, 48-37, after a made layup from Rosi Nicholson. Hofstra struggled to gain momentum, though, as Towson answered every one of the Pride’s attempted rallies. Two three-pointers by Towson’s Allie Kubek was the catalyst for an 8-0 run at the end of the third quarter, extending the lead to 18, 58-40.

The fourth quarter was more of the same, with Towson continuing to separate itself from the Pride. Hofstra fought to the very end as they continued to drive it inside for quick baskets, slowly chipping away at the lead. The Tigers kept in front and ultimately took home the road win.

“We’ve got to regroup; we’ve got to regroup as a team,” Santos Atkinson said. “They know defensively that is where we put our eggs and when we are not clicking and when we don’t have the intensity and effort on that defensive end that we need, it makes it tough and that is exactly what we’re pulling away from this.”

Kubek had 18 on the night for the Tigers, shooting 6-10 from the floor. Nelson put up 16 points and also added six assists.

For Hofstra, Jaylen Hines led the way with 13 points, shooting 6-11 from the field, while also adding six rebounds and three assists on the night. Jaala Henry contributed 12 points and four rebounds. Zyheima Swint had six rebounds and four points off the bench.

Hofstra continues its homestand this weekend, as the Pride hosts James Madison University on Sunday, Feb. 27.

Photo courtesy of Evan Bernstein/The Hofstra Chronicle