LEWISBURG, P.A. – Four Hofstra players scored in double digits, but it was not enough as the men’s basketball team lost to the Bucknell Bison 86-71 on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Sojka Pavilion.
“We had a lot of shots that we normally make,” said Hofstra head coach Joe Mihalich. “We missed foul shots. It’s not like us.”
Hofstra shot a season-low 38.1% from the field in the loss and 62.9% from the free-throw line.
“[We have] open shots,” Mihalich said. “We need to knock [them] down. It’s what we do.”
The Pride have experienced difficulty rebounding early this season. This once again was a problem – Bucknell out-rebounded Hofstra, 48-33.
Forward Isaac Kante, who was expected to shoulder much of the rebounding load, is still adjusting to the Hofstra system. Kante recorded five points and two rebounds in the loss.
“We got some guys that are trying to find themselves right now,” Mihalich said. “We gotta help them get there.”
On the other hand, Kevin Schutte had his second encouraging performance in as many games. The backup forward had six points and six rebounds in 17 minutes, coming off the bench for the Pride.
“It is encouraging,” Mihalich said. “We need these guys coming off the bench to help us.”
Freshman guard Jermaine Miranda also chipped in with five points, shooting 100% from the field in just seven minutes of play.
Bench players Omar Silverio, Hal Hughes and Caleb Burgess saw the floor in limited capacities and all failed to record a single point.
Despite trailing by double digits for most of the first half, the Pride was able to cut an 11-point lead to just six after scoring five straight points to end the half.
Tareq Coburn gave a perfect shooting performance in the first half, shooting 3-3 from three and helping the Pride stay in the game.
When halftime ended, Hofstra came out firing on a 12-2 run, which culminated in a 44-40 lead for the Pride early in the third quarter.
The Pride and Bison traded baskets for a long stretch afterward. A three-point play from Jalen Ray put Hofstra within two points of Bucknell with just over 10 minutes to go in regulation.
“You play hard and good things happen,” Mihalich said. “When you don’t, bad things happen.”
The 57-55 lead for the Bison quickly ballooned to 65-55 after an 8-0 run, and the Bison never looked back.
Bucknell guard Jimmy Sotos led the way with 24 points throughout the game. Sotos was not the only member of the Bison who made their presence felt. Center Paul Newman contributed eight points of his own as well as 14 rebounds.
Desure Buie and Coburn carried the scoring load for Hofstra, putting up 19 and 14 points respectively.
Veterans Ray and Eli Pemberton also chipped in on the scoring. Ray had 12 points while Pemberton mustered up 10.
The Pride fall to 1-2 with the loss, while Bucknell gets above .500 at 2-1 with the win.
“It’s a marathon,” Mihalich said. “Not a sprint.”
The Pride is back in action on Friday, Nov. 15, against New York Tech at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at 5 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
