Preview: Hofstra men's basketball hosts Stony Brook for second rivalry game
The Battle of Long Island returns on Thursday, Feb. 1, as the Hofstra University men’s basketball team hosts the Stony Brook University Seawolves. The Pride enters the contest with a 11-10 overall record and 4-4 in conference play. The Seawolves hold an identical record.
The most recent meeting between the two teams led to an 80-74 victory for the Pride. Despite trailing 37-32 at halftime, the Pride outscored the Seawolves 48-37 in the second half. Darlinstone “Dstone” Dubar tied his single-game record of 30 points against Stony Brook and added 11 rebounds. Jaquan Carlos beat his personal best with 23 points on the night, while Tyler Thomas pulled down seven of the Pride’s rebounds.
The two teams are tied for the sixth-place spot in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings with Monmouth University, who ended the Pride’s three-game win streak on Saturday, Jan. 27. Outscoring Monmouth 50-38 in the first half was not enough for the Pride to secure the win, as the Hawks caught up in the second half, ultimately tying the game 78-78 with 26 seconds left. From this point, Monmouth’s Xander Rice, the game’s scoring leader with 31 points, went 3-3 on foul shots after a Bryce Washington foul. The Hawks took the victory 81-78.
Unlike the Pride, the visiting Seawolves enter Nassau County with some pep in their step after upsetting UNC-Wilmington. After narrowly holding the lead 39-37 at halftime and trailing for most of the second half, Stony Brook’s scoring leader Tyler Stephenson-Moore put up a foul shot with 1 second left, forcing the game into overtime. From there, the Seawolves outscored UNC-Wilmington 20-12, ultimately winning the game at 86-78.
The Seawolves employs three regulars who put up double-digit points. Stephenson-Moore reached the 1,000-point mark earlier this month in his fifth year with Stony Brook, averages 14.8 points per game, and leads the team with 43 3-pointers made. Aaron Clarke and Keenan Fitzmorris follow, with 12.9 and 10.4 points per game respectively. Fitzmorris is the team’s blocking leader with 24 blocks this season. Andre Snoddy and Chris Maidoh are dominant down low with 133 and 132 rebounds, respectively.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. FloHoops and MSG Sports Network will both televise the game, and WRHU 88.7 FM will air an audio-only broadcast.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
