The Hofstra University women’s basketball team fell to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) 72-44 in their opening game of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The Pride dropped to 0-1 for the third consecutive season.
“It was a tough way to open up, but a great first test because VCU is similar to some of the teams that we are going to face this season,” said Hofstra Women’s Basketball Coach Danielle Santos-Atkinson.
The evening was full of offensive struggles for the Pride. The team committed 14 turnovers while shooting just 36% from the field.
Despite the team’s poor shooting night, sophomore Emma Von Essen was named an opening night starter in just her second season. Von Essen shot 4-7 from the field and 3-6 from the 3-point line. Graduate student Sorelle Ineza also had a strong night, scoring 14 points for the Pride.
“Sorelle continued to look to get downhill, she got to the free throw line,” Santos said. “We have to look for [Von Essen & Ineza] to stay in attack mode.”
Tuesday night also marked the debut of freshmen Onna Brown and Micaela Carter who played a total of nine and 12 minutes respectively. Additionally, Cleveland State Community College transfer Tionna Baker logged six points in her first game with the Pride.
Hofstra was outscored 18-13, 19-9, 14-12, 21-10 respectively in each quarter. The Pride battled all night but were outdone by the stellar shooting of the Rams, who shot 47% from the field and an impressive 57% from the 3-point line.
“They forced us into some rotations because they were able to get the ball to the paint, [which] forced us into some long closeouts,” Santos explained.
The Pride found themselves behind 18-13 after the first quarter of play, VCU ending the quarter on an 8-0 scoring run. Despite trailing, Von Essen had an early five points, keeping Hofstra in the game. The lackluster offense continued into the second quarter as Hofstra scored just nine points in the frame, trailing 37-22 at the half.
The Rams only extended their lead in the second half. VCU shot 5-of-10 from the field in the quarter, but Hofstra wasn’t far behind, only being outscored by two.
The game began to get out of hand in the fourth quarter when the Rams shot 7-of-15 from the field and got to the free-throw line nine times. The VCU lead extended all the way to 30 with less than a minute left in the fourth.
Scoring runs were a theme all night for the Pride. Hofstra allowed VCU to go on seven scoring runs of 6-0 or more, in which the Pride went on none, a major factor in the contest.
“On the defensive side is where we got to get after it and get back to work,” Santos urged. “We allowed to many opportunities at the rim and that’s where we got to improve.”
For the Rams, it was a balanced attack that led to their dominance. Senior guard Sarah Te-Biasu spearheaded the VCU offense, finishing with 12 points and four assists.
Sophomore guard Mary-Anne Asare added 14 points and four rebounds and Timaya Lewis-Eutsey had 13 points and nine rebounds for VCU, who have now won their season opener for the second year in a row.
The Rams will head now to Williamsburg, Virginia, to take on a familiar Coastal Athletic Association foe in the College of William & Mary Tribe on Friday, Nov 10.
The Pride will look to bounce back and earn their first victory of the season in their home opener at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex against the Wagner College Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Amber Dawn
