Throughout the Tribe’s grueling match with Hofstra University Wednesday night, the lead changed hands 15 times and the score was tied on nine occasions before Hofstra eventually defeated the College 62-56. With this loss, added to the defeat against James Madison University last Sunday, the Tribe now has a 14-9 overall record and is 6-6 in league action.
p. The College fell to JMU 59-72, marking only its second loss at home this season. Although the Tribe out-shot its opponent and connected on 42.9 percent of its three-point attempts, the College could not conquer the Dukes. Senior guard Katy Neumer recorded a career-high 17 points, as junior forward Kyra Kaylor was close behind with 15 and senior point guard Sarah Stroh added 11.
p. The Tribe defense started strong in the first five minutes and prevented JMU from getting on the scoreboard. The College continued to hold its ground both offensively and defensively as it led the Dukes 13-5 with 11 minutes 12 seconds remaining in the first half. In the next six minutes, however, JMU picked up the intensity, outscoring the Tribe 18-10. With 5:16 showing on the clock, it was a tie game at 23 points apiece. Despite efforts by Kaylor and sophomore center Katie Tausanovitch, the College trailed JMU 30-34 at intermission.
p. The second half started out slowly for the Tribe as it only recorded four points in the first six minutes. The College did not surrender, however, as Kaylor and Neumer combined for 10 points in the next seven minutes. Unfortunately, with 4:33 to go in the game, the Dukes had built a sizable 15-point advantage, leading the College 64-49. Though the Tribe rattled off another 10 points before time was up, it was not enough to substantially cut the margin as the College was defeated 59-72.
p. Wednesday night’s battle against Hofstra proved to be an exciting showdown. Again the Tribe out-shot its opponent, 38 percent to 33.9 percent, and never trailed by more than seven points at any time. Kaylor was the Tribe’s big scorer with a career-high 20 points, as Tausanovitch tallied nine points and junior guard Devin James added eight.
p. From the outset, the score remained close. Hofstra took the lead early, as the Pride led the Tribe 11-7 with 14:12 on the clock. The College responded with an 11-2 spurt, gaining an 18-13 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining in the first. Hofstra surged forward, however, scoring 10 unanswered points to put the Pride back on top, 23-18.
p. The College never backed down. Instead, it made another 10-2 run, punctuated by a lay-up from Stroh, to take a 28-25 lead with 3:44 to go in the first. As a result of a few turnovers and missed jumpers, the Tribe walked into the locker room trailing the Pride 32-30.
p. Throughout the majority of the second half, neither team could get ahead by more than two points. With 14:32 showing, the contest was tied at 38, which marked the fourth tied score of the half. It wasn’t until the 10-minute mark that freshman forward Tiffany Benson ignited a 7-0 run to give the Tribe its biggest margin yet; a 50-43 lead with 6:15 on the clock.
p. As usual, however, the Pride fought back, going on an 11-1 run of its own to take a three-point lead with 3:38 remaining. A pair of free-throws by Kaylor put the Tribe within one point, with less than two minutes to go. In the next minute, Hofstra managed to build a five-point lead, maintaining a 58-53 advantage. Despite a three-pointer from Tausanovitch, the College was unable to narrow the margin. In the final minute, the Tribe was forced to foul in hopes of regaining possession. However, the Pride sank its last four foul shots to conquer the College 62-56.
p. The Tribe will travel to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Sunday at 2 p.m.