Hofstra defeats Campbell 86-72
Hofstra Edges Campbell in Conference Thriller
The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex played host to a highly anticipated conference matchup between Hofstra and Campbell, with the Pride emerging victorious 86-72.
As the visiting team, Campbell's challenge seemed daunting from the outset, as Hofstra came out swinging in the first half. The Pride's home crowd provided an energetic atmosphere, which translated into a strong defensive effort that limited Campbell to just 31 points on 41% shooting. Meanwhile, Hofstra capitalized on its advantage with 37 points of their own, taking a commanding 49-31 lead into halftime.
While Campbell showed signs of life in the second half, Hofstra's cushion proved insurmountable. The Pride extended their lead to as many as 23 points at one point in the third quarter before Campbell managed to narrow it to 14 with just over a minute remaining. However, Hofstra held strong, sealing the win behind a balanced attack led by Cruz Davis.
Davis poured in 22 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range, complemented by seven assists and six rebounds. Victory Onuetu also played a key role offensively, contributing 12 boards and six points, while providing crucial defensive support against Campbell's top scorers.
In contrast, Campbell struggled to find its footing behind the arc. Jeremiah Johnson led the charge with 25 points on 61.5% shooting from the field, but only managed two makes from beyond the arc. Dovydas Butka also had a strong night offensively, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The game was notable for its defensive intensity, with both teams combining to hold the opposition below 50% shooting efficiency. Hofstra's 54.0% field goal percentage stood as the highest mark of the evening, while Campbell's 40.0% clip proved less than ideal in a losing effort.
As the final buzzer sounded, Hofstra celebrated its hard-fought victory, taking home the 14-point win in conference play. With the result, the Pride moved closer to securing a spot among the top teams in the league, while Campbell fell back into contention for a postseason bid.