The Hofstra University men’s basketball team continued its surge with a commanding 82-68 victory over Northeastern University on Saturday, Feb 21. Powered by the Pride’s electric backcourt tandem, head coach Speedy Claxton secured his 100th career win in just his fifth season at the helm – a milestone that adds another chapter to Claxton’s legacy at Hofstra.
Claxton, who is a former NBA champion and a Hofstra Hall of Famer, continues to add to an already remarkable resume with the program. Under his coaching, the Pride have eclipsed the 20-win mark in three of his first four seasons, and one more victory this year would make his record four 20-win campaigns in five seasons, a testament to the sustained standard that he has built in Hempstead.
“It means a lot,” Claxton said. “To tell you the truth, honestly, I had no idea. I’m happy about it. Hopefully, I have many more wins in the bag left.”
With the win, Hofstra remained in third place in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings, improving to 10-6 in conference play as the postseason picture continues to take shape.
“Great road win,” Claxton said. “I thought my guys approached this game very well [and] stood on business because it was the perfect trap game. [Northeastern] is a last place team, we could have very easily came in and not handled business, but we did. We handled the game the right way.”
To secure Claxton’s elusive 100th victory, Hofstra’s dynamic backcourt duo rose to the occasion once again. CAA Player of the Year frontrunner, Cruz Davis, led all scorers with 22 points, continuing his stellar campaign. The nation’s 16th-leading scorer shot an efficient 46% from the field and completed another impressive performance with three assists and three rebounds.
The other half of Hofstra’s two-headed monster, freshman guard Preston Edmead, delivered an offensive clinic of his own. The Long Island native poured in 19 points on an efficient 6-12 shooting night, while also stuffing the statistic sheet with five assists and five rebounds.
“We go [as far] as they go,” Claxton said. “They’ve been very consistent throughout the whole year. [I’m] not surprised by it. We rely on them, and both of those guys had a great game for us.”
The offensive masterclass extended well beyond the backcourt, as Hofstra veteran German Plotnikov broke out of his recent shooting slump in a big way. He poured in 18 points and knocked down three shots from beyond the arc. It marked his most efficient outing in six games, shooting 54% from the field.
“He’s just making shots and being solid,” Claxton said. “He’s our glue guy, and it’s great to see him make some shots – because he missed some open ones. He made some, so I’m happy about that.”
With just two games remaining in conference play, Hofstra will face one of its most pivotal matchups of the season when they host Stony Brook University at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The Pride currently holds a slim half-game lead over Stony Brook in the standings. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, February. 28.
