Hofstra 75 Delaware 61
Number one seed Hofstra will be heading to the Colonial Athletic Association finals after their 75-61 victory over Delaware.
Eli Pemberton led the Pride in scoring with 24 points. Hofstra had a total of four players score in double-digits.
Delaware was led by Nate Darling’s 13 points and 8 rebounds.
As good as Hofstra was on offense. Their defense frustrated Delaware in long stretches especially in the first half when they held the Blue Hens to 33.3% shooting from the floor.
Hofstra would break the game open with a game crushing 16-4 run in the second half. The run pushed the Pride lead to 22.
The Blue Hens would go on a 11-0 run cutting the lead to 11 with 5:41 left but Hofstra. A close call prevented Delaware from cutting it to nine when the referees called hanging on the rim on Nate Darling.
Delaware would manage to get it to eight with 2:29 left but never got closer.
The three point shot was the Pride’s best friend. They would shoot 12-23 from long distance.
Hofstra broke out to an early ten point lead led by Jalen Ray’s six point outburst. Ray was fouled on a three pointer and made all three. He followed that up with a three pointer giving the Pride a 14-4 lead.
Delaware would settle in and behind some strong play by Ryan Allen and Justin Mutts. The duo was able to score on at close range including a Mutts monster jam. The 10-0 run gave the Blue Hens a 19-17 lead.
The Pride’s response would come from the three-point line. During a 16-2 run, Hofstra would make four of it’s nine first half three pointer.
Hofstra would lead at the half, 40-28.
