Preview: Hofstra women's basketball continues CAA play against W&M

The Hofstra University women’s basketball team welcomes the College of William & Mary to the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Sunday, Jan. 7.

 On Thursday, the Pride won their first Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) game against UNC-Wilmington, 82-54, improving their overall record to 7-5. The Tribe also prevailed in their first conference game against Monmouth University, raising their record to 5-7.

 Emma Von Essen powered Hofstra’s offense over UNCW, scoring 15 points. Von Essen leads the Pride in scoring and ranks fourth in the CAA. Sorelle Ineza scored 17 points in just 19 minutes on the court. Ally Knights and Brooke Anya dished four assists each; all but two team members recorded an assist in the win.

 The Pride had a 55-30 control of rebounds in the win. Anya once again led the team with seven offensive and four defensive rebounds. Anya’s efforts in the contest gave her a CAA-leading 56 offensive rebounds thus far this season.

 The Tribe enters the contest on a hot streak, winning five of their last eight games dating back to Nov. 24 against Tennessee State University.

 Offensively, the team is led by Anahi-Lee Cauley and Bella Nascimento, who both posted over 20 points each in the win over Monmouth. Nascimento averages 14.3 points a game and has scored over 20 points on three separate occasions.

 The Tribe added 10 points from the free-throw line in the last game. William & Mary enters third in the conference from the line, shooting 75.8% from the charity stripe.

 Both teams currently sit 1-0 in conference play and are seeking their second straight divisional win. 

 Tip-off from the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman