Preview: women's basketball clashes with Delaware

The Hofstra University women’s basketball team will take on the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens on Sunday, Feb. 4, on the Pride’s home court in Hempstead, New York, at 2 p.m.

The Blue Hens and the Pride stand the same with seven wins in the season. However, Delaware remains in the middle of the Coastal Athletic Association standings in ninth place while Hofstra watches from the bottom in 13th place.

Delaware lost their last game on Friday, Feb. 2, against the Drexel University Dragons 53-49. The Blue Hens couldn’t gain any traction despite a 17-point performance from Chloe Wilson.

Hofstra also lost their Friday night game at home against Long Island rivals, Stony Brook University, 67-49. Sorelle Ineza scored 12 points and Zyheima Swint scored eight points with a team-high of eight rebounds.

“I thought we came out, but we allowed them some easy buckets early,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “In the second half, we just got a little relaxed and allowed them way too many easy buckets for them in transition; we allowed too many opportunities.”

This will be the first and only meeting between the teams this season. Delaware last came to Hempstead in February 2023, leaving town victorious over the Pride with a score of 65-64. Sorelle Ineza and Rosi Nicholson both led in scoring for Hofstra with 17 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss. Delaware’s Klarke Sconiers scored 16 with seven rebounds and Nakiyah Mays-Prince aided with 13 points. Tara Cousins showed some support with 10 points in the win.

In their recent history, the Blue Hens are 16-0 against Hofstra, dating back to the 2015-2016 season. Overall, Delaware has a 70-12 record against Hofstra, and this will be the 83rd meeting between the two teams.

Hofstra will look to Ineza to be the leader of the offense after seeing how she did last time she played against Delaware. The Pride will also try to bring their turnovers down, as that has been their Achilles’ heel all season.

Tip-off from the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex will be at 2 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman