Freshman standout player had an impressive showing with 18 points and six assists despite Hofstra’s 81-73 defeat against Iona on Friday night at the Hynes Athletics Center. This loss leaves Hofstra with an 0-2 record for the season while Iona celebrates their first victory.
The game started off challenging for the Pride, as Iona quickly built a commanding 26-5 lead just ten minutes into the match. Although Hofstra managed to narrow the deficit to 15 points late in the first half, they headed into the halftime break trailing by 17.
In the second half, Hofstra came out aggressively. A crucial basket helped bring the score to 46-36, marking the beginning of a 9-2 run for the Pride. A subsequent three-pointer cut Iona’s lead to single digits at 50-41. However, the Gaels responded strongly, scoring seven consecutive points to extend their lead back to 16, effectively stifling the Pride’s hopes for a comeback. Despite a late push that saw Hofstra reduce the margin to six points in the final minute, Iona secured their win by closing out the game for an eight-point advantage.
Patterson was another key player for Hofstra, contributing 16 points, while also notable were who tallied 13 points along with a team-leading nine rebounds. C.J. Anthony shined for Iona, scoring 25 points, supported by Lamin Sabally’s 11 points and eight rebounds.
Hofstra will next take to the court on Monday as they welcome Molloy for the much-anticipated “Class at the Court” game, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. This matchup represents the 46th meeting between Hofstra and Iona, now tied at 23 wins apiece, following Hofstra’s three consecutive victories in their previous encounters. Noteworthy for the Pride fans, the team displayed an impressive shooting percentage of 59% from the field during the second half, hinting at their potential for upcoming games.