Nick Timberlake poured in a career-high 26 points on 8-11 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for Towson University, handing the Hofstra men’s basketball team their first home loss of the season by a score of 78-68, on Thursday, Feb. 3, at David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

“We didn’t come with the right energy, effort and focus that we needed to win this game,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “If we played the first half like we played the second half we win this game.”

In the first nine minutes of play, a pair of three-pointers from Jalen Ray and additional scoring contributions from Caleb Burgess helped the Pride get out to an early 21-13 lead. Towson’s offense then found its rhythm with a 10-0 run. Eventually, over the final 11 minutes of the half, the Tigers outscored the Pride 30-13. 13 of Timberlake’s 17 first-half points coming during the frame. 

“You can’t spot teams in this league points,” Claxton said. “Teams are too good.”

With Townson up 53-43 to open the second half, Hofstra fought back in the beginning minutes with a 12-0 run to even the score at 45 a side. Aaron Estrada shined for the Pride during the run as he poured in 8 of the Pride’s 12 points.

By the midway point of the second half, the Tigers responded with a 12-0 run of their own to make the scoreboard read 59-47 with 10:32 remaining. Towson’s Juwan Gray led the way during the run with five points as Towson mounted their response. Charles Thompson added eight points over the next five minutes to continue to keep Towson in the driver’s seat.

“We definitely got what we deserved,” Claxton said. “Everything’s a learning process.”

With 3:29 to go in the game, Estrada hit a jumper to cut the lead to ten. Jalen Ray followed up by drilling a three-pointer, cutting Towson’s lead to seven with 2:58 remaining. A layup from Caleb Burgess brought the Pride within six with 1:28 to go, but that was as close the Pride got.

Free-throws from Cam Holden and Timberlake along with an exclamation point from Gray helped close out the game for the Tigers to give them a 78-68 victory.

“We were getting good looks,” Claxton said. “The shots just weren’t falling tonight.”

Down low for the Tigers, Thompson shot 8-for-9 from the field, including a physical finish at the rim in the first half over the Pride’s Zach Cooks.

Towson out-rebounded the Pride 31-21, led in the assist category 21-11 and had 21 more attempts at the line during the contest. The Tigers shot 61% from the field while Hofstra managed to hit just 44% of their shots.

Estrada led the Pride in scoring with 22 points shooting 8-for-13.

“We’ll bounce back from this,” Claxton said. “I’m not worried about my guys.”

The loss was Hofstra’s first at home this year, dropping their record to 13-9 overall and 5-4 record against conference opponents. The victory for Towson moves their season record to 17-6 and their conference record to 8-2.

The Pride will welcome James Madison University to Hempstead on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. in what will be Hofstra’s winter homecoming game

Photo Courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle