Hofstra defeats Monmouth 67-64
Monmouth's Late Surge Falls Short as Hofstra Stuns Home Crowd with Thrilling 3-Point Win
In a dramatic and back-and-forth affair, the Hofstra Pride outlasted the visiting Monmouth Hawks at their home turf, emerging victorious with a 67-64 score in conference play. The Pride's thrilling comeback from a five-point deficit at halftime served as the narrative thread for this nail-biting contest.
At the break, Hofstra trailed by just one point (29-24) after a strong showing from both teams in the first half. However, the second stanza saw Monmouth take control and stretch their lead to nine points, leaving Hofstra trailing 44-35 at intermission.
The Pride's halftime adjustments set the stage for an incredible comeback. With Preston Edmead leading the charge, scoring 13 of his game-high 24 points in the final 20 minutes, Hofstra erased the deficit to tie the contest at 52-52 with just over a minute left in regulation. The tension only grew from there as both teams battled fiercely for every loose ball.
In a stunning display of resilience and shooting prowess, Edmead and Silas Sunday tied up the game on a pair of jumpers before Cruz Davis sank a crucial three-pointer to give Hofstra a slim one-point advantage with 15 seconds remaining. The Pride's defense then stepped up, forcing a late desperation from Monmouth that ultimately came up short.
The decisive factor was Jason Rivera-Torres' four three-pointers in the second half for Monmouth, making him a standout performer on both ends of the floor (30 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals). However, it was not enough to overcome the Pride's late surge from Edmead, who scored 8 of his 24 points in the final minutes.
In the advanced statistics department, Hofstra showcased an impressive shooting efficiency with a true shooting percentage of 45.6%, while Monmouth demonstrated impressive three-point shooting prowess (35 percent). Both teams also struggled on offense, reflecting their reliance on outside shots. In terms of rebounding, Hofstra dominated with a significant edge in offensive and defensive boards.
The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex was abuzz as the crowd watched in awe as this thrilling contest unfolded before their eyes. The Pride's dramatic comeback capped off an emotional night that will be etched in the memories of fans for weeks to come.