The Hofstra men’s basketball team took the game in a 78-52 rout over the Kennesaw State University Owls on Saturday, Dec. 1, in a game where junior Hofstra guard Eli Pemberton made history by reaching the 1,000-point milestone as a member of the Hofstra Pride.
“We did what we had to do,” said Hofstra head coach Joe Mihalich after the team ran away with the easy victory in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Pemberton became the 37th player in program history to reach the career milestone of 1,000 points.
“He was terrific … He’s an all-conference player,” Mihalich said of Pemberton. Pemberton finished the game with 15 points and seven rebounds on five of 10 shooting in 29 minutes of play.
Hofstra took an early lead and never let it go. The Pride was able to jump out to a 15-point lead after the first half of play. After being up 37-22 following one half, Hofstra held on to win their first road game of the season.
“We played so well at Marshall, Maryland and [Virginia Commonwealth University]. But this is our first road win … good teams win on the road,” Mihalich said.
Despite playing hard-fought games against these non-conference opponents, the Pride hadn’t returned victorious in a road matchup until Saturday’s win.
Defensively, Hofstra strapped up and played well as a unit. “Our guys were in sync,” Mihalich said. “As the ball moved, we were moving. We were talking [and] communicating, we were locating shooters and drivers and recognizing personnel.”
The Pride forced seven steals, four blocks and gave up their lowest points allowed this season with 52.
Across the board, Hofstra utilized all of their weapons offensively, as the exponential lead allowed them to get more guys into the game than usual. Three players reached double figures in the points column.
Justin Wright-Foreman continued his success in his senior year with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. He has now put up at least 20 points in each of the eight games he’s played in.
Also, after his 20-point outing, Wright-Foreman has extended his double-digit point scoring streak to 61 games – the second longest in the nation. Alongside Wright-Foreman, Pemberton and Jalen Ray stepped up for the Pride.
“It was a feel-good win,” Mihalich said.
The win puts Hofstra at a 5-3 record. This month, Hofstra won’t leave the Empire State as they play five games in New York before beginning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play on Friday, Dec. 28.
“Big stretch for us. One game at a time,” Mihalich said. “Hopefully we can have a good December.”
The next game for Hofstra is Wednesday, Dec. 5, against Monmouth. The Pride head back home, where they hold a 4-0 record this season.
Currently sitting in the No. 4 spot in the CAA, Hofstra looks to climb up the standings as the month of December begins.
