The Hofstra University women’s basketball team picked up its third win of the season on Saturday, Dec. 23 as it took down Campbell University 58-55 behind a career-high performance from Ana Hernandez Gil where she dropped 25 points including eight three pointers at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, NY.
The eight three pointers tied a career high for Hernandez Gil, falling just one shy of the Hofstra record of nine set by Marguerite Moran on Feb. 25, 1989 against the University of Delaware. The feat is also the third best in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) history.
In a game that featured a myriad of runs, the Pride overcame a valiant last-minute effort by the Camels that wiped Hofstra’s 51-43 lead and evened the score at 53 with just over one minute remaining on the clock.
Hernandez Gil continued her long-range prowess and connected on her eighth and final three-point shot of the afternoon, giving the Pride a cushion that allowed them to close out the game with a three-point advantage as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Jaylen Hines provided a huge lift for Hofstra as well, finishing with 14 points on 60% shooting from the field as the only payer besides Hernandez Gil to reach double figures on the day.
With eight lead changes and five moments in which the game was tied, Campbell’s offense was on fire for many spurts throughout the game, even jumping out to as large as an eight-point lead with five minutes left to play in the first half.
Leading the way for the Camels was Hayley Barber, who finished with 19 points on 6-14 shooting alongside six rebounds and an assist. Shyanne Tuelle added 11 points and six rebounds while Taya Bolden tied Hofstra’s Marianne Kalin with a game high eight rebounds.
Hofstra’s resilience in containing Campbell’s last run gave them the win and placed them at a 3-6 record on the year just two games remaining before conference play begins.
With a pair of matchups before their first CAA matchup, Hofstra hopes to ride the momentum from this victory into the Fordham Holiday Classic where it will face the University of Houston and Fordham University in back-to-back days.
The tip off against Houston is scheduled for Sunday, Dec 29 at 3 p.m.
Image Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
