The Hofstra women’s basketball team lost their first game of the season on the road against the Rutgers Scarlett Knights on Monday, Nov. 7. The Pride fought hard, ending the game with a close score of 73-68. Brandy Thomas and Rosi Nicholson both had 16-point performances for the Pride but in the end, the Scarlett Knights’ offensive firepower and distribution were too much.

Both teams remained at each other’s necks throughout the majority of the game, as neither team was able to pull away from the other. Both teams were disciplined on the defensive side of the ball as Hofstra ended the game with 11 total steals, and Rutgers ended with nine steals plus seven blocks. This defensive bout started early, as the score was a measly 10-7 in favor of the Pride halfway through the first quarter

As the first quarter wrapped up, the game remained close as Hofstra ended the period on a quick 5-0 run to reclaim the lead. Both teams were on the attack offensively as the second quarter got underway. A few quick buckets in the first few minutes led to a 23-22 Pride lead. The next couple minutes saw both teams trading missed shots, and halfway through the second quarter they were tied at 25 points.

Rutgers proceeded to go on an 8-1 run, which gave them a brief 33-26 lead with about two minutes left in the half. Hofstra kept it close as the half ended 36-30 in favor of Rutgers. Rutgers’ Awa Sidibe had herself quite the game as her stat line read 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists. She was a huge reason for the win, impacting the game on both sides of the ball.

The third quarter began, and Rutgers immediately picked up where they left off; within the first two minutes a few quick layups and a jumper gave them a huge 42-30 lead. A minute later a fastbreak three from Abby Streeter gave Rutgers their biggest lead of the game 45-32. The Pride, knowing they had to slow down the pace of Rutgers, did just that with a few quick buckets in the paint and a three from Thomas which pulled the game to within six. The Pride, now clicking offensively, battled all the way back, ending the third quarter down just one point as the score read 52-51 Rutgers.

The first shot of the fourth quarter was a Brandy Thomas three which gave Hofstra a 54-52 lead and capped off a 22-7 run for the Pride. But Rutgers did not back down, and both teams continued going back and forth all quarter. Tied at 59 with a little over five minutes left, Rutgers’ Kaylene Smikle hit a go-ahead three giving them a small 62-59 cushion. Rutgers would go on to control the lead, hit a few game-clinching free throws and win the game 73-68.

It was a hard-fought game on both sides as the Pride will start the year off 0-1. Their next game will be at Cleveland State University on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 12:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Evan Bernstein/Hofstra Athletics