Strong offensive performance leads Pride to slump-busting win over Towson
The seven-game losing streak comes to an end as the Hofstra women’s basketball defends its home court in strong fashion, beating Towson 83-72 on Sunday afternoon.
All Hofstra from the start, the Pride was up 14-2 only a few minutes into the game. Starting point guard E’Lexus Davis seemed to be the igniter, flying past her defender early for a lay-in, then stealing the inbound pass and sinking a three shortly after.
This high-energy offense persisted throughout the game, consisting of great ball movement and efficient shooting, accompanied by flashy playmaking from guards Davis and Boogie Brozoski.
Brozoski wrapped up the game with 17 points and six assists, scoring often as well as making plays for teammates who were red hot from all over the court.
Players benefiting from this were Olivia Askin who hit three triples, as well as Aleana Leon, who tallied a game-high 19 points. Leon was also active on the glass, grabbing six rebounds for the Pride.
“Everyone that played contributed. Whether it was a rebound and a steal or five people in double figures. I’m just so proud of them for putting the pieces together and playing a complete game,” said head coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey.
As a team, the Pride shot 50 percent from the field, while shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc.
The Tigers conversely shot 43 percent from field goal range, while only hitting five threes throughout the game despite trailing nearly the entirety of the game.
While Hofstra did hold a secure lead for most of the contest, Towson did manage to creep in a little in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Behind Nukiya Mayo’s 18 points and Mary Cueva’s 17, Towson didn’t let the Pride run away. They finished with five players in double figures, largely taking advantage in the paint where they outscored Hofstra 40-22.
“They’re taller than us. We played a lot of zone trying to force turnovers. They have really solid post players. It takes a lot of low personnel. That’s one of the main things, stopping the ball so they cannot make the pass,” Leon said.
Nevertheless, Hofstra’s all-around game kept the Pride in front for good, with the nail in the coffin seeming to be a late Brozoski three-point play where she converted the shot despite the foul and proceeded to make the free-throw as well.
A win was exactly what the Pride needed to be able to move their focus from the losing streak that has been accumulating to the CAA tournament that is only two weeks away.
Hofstra will face Northeastern twice in its last three games, with a visit to Elon in between. Up next, the Pride will welcome the Huskies at home.
Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. on Friday.