Cold water droplets puddled in Hempstead, but there were no children to play in them. The game was inside.

The Hofstra men’s basketball team embarked on a ferocious 42-18 second-half run Monday evening, defeating the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 73-58 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

“This was a second-half performance,” said acting head coach Mike Farrelly. “That is how we play. We did not come out with a purpose in the first half.”

As the Pride earned their first victory of the season, Farrelly earned the first victory in relief of Joe Mihalich, who is on temporary medical leave.

“I would not be here without [Mihalich],” Farrelly said. “People do not understand how hard it is to win just one game. I owe him everything. This is for him.”

A unique atmosphere matched unique times. A glimmering, newly-built gym seized the main concourse where there were once food stands and carnival games. Student-athletes stood six feet apart as cardboard cutouts lined an empty arena.

“We are lucky we are playing in these games with everything else that is happening in the world,” Farrelly said. “Are we taking advantage? Are we savoring these opportunities? Are we playing with the right approach and right energy?”

Farrelly’s voice echoed over the game. Head strength and conditioning coach James Prendergast’s cheers and stomps shook the bleachers. The Pride bench chanted “defense,” morphing into the crowd. 

“It is going to be a lot about our energy,” Farrelly said. “Everybody has to have great energy. There are going to be runs in a game. You have to respond as a unit when you do not have the crowd energy to rely on.” 

Tareq Coburn showcased his smooth three-point shot in a 21-point performance.

“As a leader and team captain, I have to get my team going,” Coburn said. “Once I started to be more aggressive, it led to other players picking me up and we started going as a team collectively.”

Fresh faces made their mark too. First-year forward Kvonn Cramer brought the energy a vacant crowd could not, slamming his way to a 12-point, 4-steal, 10-rebound evening. Freshman guard David Green added 11 points of his own.

“[Cramer] and [Green] are great players and great energy guys,” Coburn said. “I love playing with them. They are going to surprise a lot of people in the [Colonial Athletic Association].”

As the clock wound down on a Pride victory, the intensity remained consistent all night.

Caleb Burgess slapped away the arm of his defender as he was dribbling the clock out. And after a Hofstra turnover with a minute to go, Farrelly was irate and subsequently called a timeout.

“That is when we build habits,” Farrelly said. “It does not matter if we are up 20 or down 20, you have to play the right way and respect the games at all times. I am going to get on these guys.”

The Pride will look to build more positive habits when they battle Iona at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Hempstead.

This will continue a Hofstra men’s basketball season like no other, where a sport attempts to heal an Island mourning the loss of so many.

Photo courtesy of Philip Hinds / Hofstra Athletics