A pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left in the game sank the Hofstra men’s basketball team, falling in heartbreaking fashion, 69-67 to No. 20 University of Maryland at the XFINITY Center at College Park, Maryland.
Trailing the Terrapins 61-63 with 3:32 remaining, Jalen Ray hit a three-pointer to give Hofstra a 64-63 lead. Two minutes later, Ray hit another three-pointer give the Pride a 67-63 advantage with 1:26 remaining in the game.
“[Hofstra was] just moving the ball, playing as a team,” Ray said. “We were already at a mismatch with no big so we had to use speed and draw the defense in and then kick out.”
Maryland quickly cut the deficit in half following a Julian Reese jumper with a minute remaining. After Ray missed a three-point shot, Eric Ayala made a layup to tie the game at 67 with 22 seconds left. Ayala then blocked Omar Silverio’s three-point attempt with five seconds remaining. During an attempt to grab the ball, Silverio was called for a foul, sending Ian Martinez to the line for two free throws.
After converting both attempts, the Pride had a chance with two seconds in the game. However, Hofstra had the inbounds pass stolen by the Terps, sealing the win for Maryland.
“Another tough loss,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “You got to tip your hat to Maryland. They made the plays they needed to make down the stretch to win the ballgame.”
Ray led all scorers with 18 points and was one of four Pride players in double figures. Zach Cooks added 13 points and two steals, Aaron Estrada finished with 12 points and nine rebounds while Darlinstone Dubar netted 10 points with seven rebounds and two steals.
This was the third-straight game where Hofstra had four players reach double-digit points.
“We’re a well-balanced attack,” Claxton said. “Every night there’s a different guy capable of being the leading scorer. That’s the beauty of this team.”
Ayala led Maryland with 14 points, Martinez added 13 points as well for the Terps. Daron “Fatts” Russell also netted 13 points and sealed the win with the game-ending steal with two seconds left.
Hofstra shot 42.9% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc while the Terps shot 41.7% from the field and 22.7% from three. The Pride forced 16 turnovers from Maryland, resulting in 27 points. Maryland was able to control the paint, outscoring the Pride 34-20.
The Pride has faced two top 25 teams this season, falling to both, No. 15 University of Houston in overtime and to No. 20 Maryland.
“We got to do a better job of closing these games out,” Claxton said. “This is yet another game that we let slip away.”
Hofstra concludes its five-game road trip to start the season on Monday, Nov. 22, as the Pride takes on Richmond University at the Robins Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
“I still like where we are at, it’s a young season,” Claxton said. “This team is very promising.”
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
