By Kevin Carroll -- SPORTS EDITOR The high-octane offense that powered the Hofstra men’s basketball team all season finally ran out of gas Monday night, as the Pride came up mere inches short of its first CAA championship in ten years, losing to UNCW 80-73 in an instant classic at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.
“The dream we had didn’t come true,” said a visibly dejected Hofstra head coach Joe Mihalich after the loss, Hofstra’s second loss to the Seahawks this season.
Ameen Tanksley led the Pride with 24 points, after his 22-point performance in Sunday’s semifinal led Hofstra past William & Mary. Rokas Gustys added 18 points and 23 rebounds, coming just two points shy of a 20 point- 20 rebound performance.
The Pride simply ran out of gas down the stretch, as UNCW’s pressure wore the Pride down. Hofstra had five players register more than 37 minutes in the game, including 41 from Juan’ya Green, his third straight 40+ minute game, and 44 from Gustys.
The backbreaker came from the hands of UNCW’s Denzel Ingram, who buried a three-pointer with 34 seconds left in overtime, putting the game out of reach and putting an end to Hofstra’s season.
The packed crowd at Royal Farms Arena came to see some good basketball, and they were treated to an intense showdown, as the two teams battled hard down the stretch. The Seahawks had the lead for the better part of the second half, after the Pride controlled most of the first half.
UNCW was led by Craig Ponder with 20 points, and Chris Flemmings with 19 points. The two were a large part of the Seahawks’ ability to fend off the Pride as the minutes ticked off the clock in the second half.
A large part of Hofstra’s struggles in the second half were from beyond the arc, where the Pride shot just 1-9 in the second half.
However, as was the case in both contests between these two teams over the course of the season, no lead was safe. The Pride refused to go away, scratching and clawing at the Seahawks with the CAA title hanging in the balance.
Juan’ya Green, who had been quiet for most of the game, knifed through the defense for an easy layup to make it a 68-66 UNCW lead with just 1:43 left in regulation. After a key stop, Green tied the game up with two free-throws.
Down the other end, Brian Bernardi drew a huge charge, giving the Pride the ball with five seconds left, and a chance to win the game. However, Green’s three-pointer caromed off the backboard, and the fans in Baltimore were treated to free basketball.
However, the fatigue and depth issues that have been the story of the second half of the season for the Pride became apparent from the start of overtime, as the Pride looked weary and unable to keep up with the Seahawks.
“My heart’s broken for these guys…sometimes, life doesn’t give you what you deserve,” said Mihalich. “In my heart of hearts, I think these guys deserved it.”
The season doesn’t end here for the Pride, despite the loss. By virtue of winning the CAA regular season title, Hofstra has earned an automatic bid to the NIT Tournament, and there still may a chance, however slim, at a potential at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the Pride.