Pride Hand Huskies First Loss

For the first time this year, the Huskies lost a conference game. The Hofstra Pride defeated the Huskies 57-52 in a wild one on the road.

The field goal challenge given to the Huskies has proven to be the deciding factor in every conference game thus far. Hofstra shot 41 percent from the field, and won the game.

Having to travel three hours and given only one day to prepare can factor into losses, but the Huskies are not a team that looks to make excuses. Matt Janning scored 14 points, but only scoring 2 of them in the second half. Manny Adako scored 13 points before fouling out with 45 seconds to play.

Adako hit a lay up with 1:09 left in the game to put the Huskies ahead 51-50. He then fouled out when Charles Jenkins drove to the hoop on the next play and connected on both free throws to put the Pride ahead 52-51. After a Janning turnover and foul, the Pride led 54-51. Janning was then fouled, and made only one free throw to cut the lead to 54-52. The Pride did their part to give the Huskies one more chance when Tony Dennison missed 1 of 2 free throws to make it 55-52 with 18 seconds left.

The Huskies got what they wanted on the next possession, when Janning came off a screen and had a great look at a three-pointer with 14 seconds left. But he missed, and Chris Alvarez grabbed the rebound and then double-pumped in the corner and missed a three of his own. Jenkins grabbed the rebound and was fouled, and made both free throws to end the game.

You could hear a pin drop in the locker room after the game. Disappointed, Coach Coen told his team that one loss does not end the season. “A wise man once told me, if you never lose two in a row in a season, you’ll have a pretty good year,” Coen said.

Hofstra was ready for the Huskies. They did not forget about the way the Huskies dominated them back in Boston. Pride coach Tom Pecora earlier in the week called it a “pride game” for his team. Although the Huskies did not play their best game, they still had a chance to win. This will definitely serve as motivation for the Huskies as they move ahead.