A strong second half lifted the Towson University Tigers over the Hofstra Pride women’s basketball team 71-54 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Friday, Feb. 21.

Tied at 30 at the half, Towson outscored the Pride 41-24 in the second half to secure the win.

Freshman guard Sorelle Ineza dropped a career-high 18 points in the contest while also adding five rebounds and two assists.

“I’m proud of myself,” Ineza said. “I was aggressive, and I kept going.”

After the Tigers jumped to a quick 5-0 lead to open the game, the Pride battled back to tie it back up at 10 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. A blocked shot by sophomore forward Caria Reynolds transitioned to a buzzer-beating layup by Ineza to give the Pride the lead 16-14 at the end of the opening quarter.

Towson and Hofstra exchanged leads throughout the second quarter with neither team maintaining more than a four-point lead. Reynolds’ layup and foul conversion made the score 30 apiece at the half.

“I was really proud of the girls’ effort in that first half,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “We came out ready to go with great intensity. We stuck to the game plan and did exactly what it is we were supposed to be doing.”

The Tigers used a 7-3 run to start the third quarter to control the rest of the game and never relinquish the lead. The Pride pulled within one after an Ineza three-pointer, but Towson responded with a 7-0 run to put the game away.

Nukiya Mayo led the Tigers with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Kionna Jeter netted another 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

For the Pride, senior forward Marianne Kalin added nine points and nine rebounds while sophomore forward Jaylen Hines finished with six points and eight rebounds.

Towson capitalized on turnovers, scoring 17 points off of 15 Hofstra turnovers. The Pride only got six points from 11 Tiger turnovers. 

The Tigers also won the rebounding battle 52-47 and also controlled the paint, scoring 12 more points down below. 

With the loss, Hofstra falls to 3-22 on the season and 0-14 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Towson improved to 13-11 overall and 8-5 in the conference. 

The Pride will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 23, when they host James Madison University at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics