WEST HARTFORD, CT. — The Hofstra Pride women’s basketball team opened their season with a win, defeating the University of Hartford Hawks 43-41 on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Chase Family Arena. Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson received her first career win in her debut as head coach for the Pride.
Santos Atkinson was introduced as the Pride’s new head coach in April after a disappointing 11-22 season that saw them finish last in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Santos Atkinson started her coaching career at Hofstra, serving as an assistant coach from 2006-2010. Now, nine seasons later, she has secured her first career win as a collegiate head coach with the program.
The Hofstra starters scored every point for the Pride as sophomore guard JaKayla Brown carried the load, scoring a game-high 12 points and grabbing six rebounds. Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Hines contributed 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Junior forward Marianne Kalin was a defensive force, recording three blocks in a strong overall defensive showing from Hofstra. The Pride held Hartford to 30% shooting from the field, and 22% shooting from three point territory.
With just 1:50 left in the game, Hartford closed out the game on a 7-0 run to draw within a basket of tying the game. Hartford had a chance to force overtime, but it was denied by Kalin who blocked a potential game-tying shot with six seconds left on the clock, sealing the two point victory for the Pride.
True freshman Sorelle Ineza got the start in her collegiate debut and put in an all-around solid performance, scoring eight points, pulling down three rebounds with two assists and one steal.
Rebounds were a key factor in Hofstra’s win, as the Pride out-rebounded the Hawks 48-42, including 23 offensive rebounds. Hofstra’s extra effort on the offensive glass led to 18 second chance points, capitalizing on a poor shooting night to put points on the board consistently.
The 48 total rebounds and 23 offensive rebounds were the most in a game for the Pride since the 2016-2017 season.
Hofstra entered the second quarter trailing 13-12 but controlled the action in the second quarter, out-scoring Hartford 13-6 and going on an 11-0 run midway through the second quarter to take a 25-19 lead into halftime. The Pride continued to apply the pressure in the second half, taking their longest lead of the night and leading by 10 with just under three minutes in the third frame.
The Hawks did not go down without a fight, scoring six of the next eight points to bring the game within three. Hofstra shot three of fifteen in the quarter, but made all five of their free throws to keep a six-point lead into the fourth.
43 points is the fewest the Pride has ever scored in a win during their time as a Division I program.
With the victory, Hofstra opens the year 1-0 for the fifth straight season. They will now travel to take on non-conference opponent Sacred Heart University on Sunday, Nov. 10, with tip-off set for 1 p.m. at William H. Pitt Center.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
