The Hofstra University Women’s Basketball Team (4-7) ended their non-conference schedule with their strongest effort yet, a dominating 82-47 win over visiting Norfolk State (2-11). It was the third straight victory for the Pride.
Asia Jackson led all Pride scorers with 20-points.
“I feel like we’ve matured, decision-wise,” senior forward Shante Evans said after the game. “We’ve had better passing and our defense got a lot better.”
The Pride got the win despite dressing just nine players and using one of them (Anma Onyeuku) for just one minute. The team was equal to the challenge of having a short bench and got balanced scoring with four players in double figures. Asia Jackson led the Pride with 20 points, followed by Shante Evans with 19, while Deven Green and Candace Bond rounded out the scoring with 10 points each.
“I’m proud of these guys,” Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey said. “Everybody really stepped up…These guys have learned by facing adversity.”
The Pride started quickly and never looked back. They scored the first nine points of the game and held Norfolk State off the scoreboard for the first 3:45 of the game.
In the first half, the Pride dominated in all phases of the game and led 47-18 after 20 minutes. They outrebounded Norfolk State 26-18, had 12 steals and featured very balanced scoring throughout the half. They also found their groove shooting from behind the three-point line, hitting four from behind the stripe, a pair each by Asia Jackson and Annie Payton.
The Pride came out in the second half and went on a 12-2 run to put any doubts that Norfolk State could get back into the game to rest.
Deven Green got the start today and came through with 10 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes of action. “I felt really good,” Green said. “I think everybody stepped up in a different way and I was happy that I could step up for A.O. because she’s out there for us every single game.”
With the score 59-22, the play got a little sloppy down the stretch, but Hofstra was never seriously threatened and they coasted to a 35 point victory.
With the non-conference portion of the schedule over, the Pride begins conference play Sunday afternoon when they host William & Mary at 2:00 PM.
Coach Kilburn-Steveskey knows things get tougher and more intense once conference play gets under way. “It’s just a different ballgame,” she explained. “It’s fun to have our first conference game at home. The defense is tighter, the senior on the other teams know our seniors for years. It doesn’t matter what anybody’s record is coming in and hopefully our seniors will control the locker room culture here as we start this thing…We’re ready for the challenge here.”
Pride Notes:
Asia Jackson’s 20 points was her career high. Her previous best was 13 against Stetson on November 9th.
The Pride shot 17-of-21 from the free throw line for an impressive 81 percent.
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