Men muster 3 game win streak in CAA Play

“This is a tough January stretch,” said Hofstra Head Coach Tom Pecora. “I said if we could get through January, and be around .500, we will be fine. In February, we have the students back, not playing the teams who are picked at the top of the pack.”

The University’s men’s basketball team struggled throughout January. The Pride endured a five-week stretch that included a last-minute heartbreaking loss to William & Mary, suffering  through injuries and a five-game losing streak. The Pride played a few games with only seven players; however, they are not looking for sympathy.

“There are teams that play seven every night,” said Pecora. “I’ve seen teams play in the Final Four with seven players. So, were not making excuses. Excuses only satisfy the people who make them.”

Prior to winter break, the Pride was riding a four-game winning streak, and had posted a 7-4 record. Their losing started at the Aeropostale Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden. The Pride lost back-to-back games in the world’s most famous arena, to St. John’s and Davidson College. Following the Festival, the Pride entered a crucial five-game, 10-day stretch, which would leave the Pride to sink or swim in the CAA.

On January 2, playing host to William & Mary, the Pride had a chance to post a signature win that could have enhanced their postseason chances against the then-RPI ranked No. 6 William & Mary. The Pride almost pulled off the upset, but William & Mary’s Kendrix Brown converted a three point play with just seconds left, to give the Tribe their first lead all day, 48-47.

Two days after their tough loss, the Pride traveled to Fairfax, VA, to play George Mason University. The Patriots were able to overcome careers nights by two Hofstra freshmen and won 67-63. Guard Chaz Williams scored 20 points and added five assists while forward Halil Kanacevic contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Pride led by six points with six minutes remaining, but GMU nailed crucial three-pointers and free-throws to seal the win. Despite the two-game conference losing streak, Pecora found positives in his freshmen.

“If the veterans play, we win both of these last two games,” said Pecora. “We have to man up. I want to send a message to the seniors. I will play the freshman if you guys are not getting things done.”

The Pride overcame the losses for one game, prevailing against Towson University at home on January 6, 77-61. The win gave the Pride the season sweep of Towson.
The Pride fell back into their losing ways. On January 9 against Old Dominion, the Pride lost more than just the game;  Williams and freshman forward David Imes, both suffered ankle injuries.

With the two out, the Pride only had seven players, making the January 12 visit from defending conference champion Virginia Commonweath University even more of a daunting task.  The Pride fell short, 81-68, suffering their fourth loss in five conference games to begin the new decade. The Pride had 17 turnovers against the Rams and only attempted 12 free throws.

The next two games were chances for revenge for the Pride, with William & Mary and George Mason listed on the schedule. On January 16 the Pride led late in the second half once more against William and Mary with a 57-51 lead. William & Mary used a 25-11 run to close out the game and walked away with season-sweeping victory, 73-66. Junior guard Charles Jenkins had 19 points in the loss.

Three nights later, the struggles continued as the Pride lost to George Mason 90-72 and dropped further in the standings. The Pride lost six of their first seven games in 2010.
“It falls on me; it’s my job to get to these guys,” said Pecora. “I am not going to lose where guys are not executing defensively and all of that. I will not sleep well with giving up 90 points. I am going to have to make our practices more grueling, to make them play hard for 40 minutes, because they’ve lost their way, and that’s my fault.”

The break concluded with the Pride at Drexel on January 23 and  extending their losing streak to five. . The Pride trailed 63-33 at one particularly low point. Hofstra went on a mini-run to trim the lead to 68-51, but it was not enough and the losing continued.

The Pride eased the hardships of January, closing the month out with two straight home victories against UNC Wilmington and Delaware. On Jan 27 against UNCW, the Pride scored 93 points and had five players in double-figures, led by Jenkins with 24 points. Jenkins also played well against Delaware on Saturday, scoring 27 points. The 27 points gives Jenkins exactly 1,500 points in his career. The win was also number 147 for Pecora, moving him into third place on the school’s all-time head coaching win list. A season high 4,016 fans attended the game.

The Pride, sitting at 11-12 overall and 4-7 in the CAA traveled to James Madison University Wednesday night to face the Dukes. Hofstra won their 11th straight game in the series against James Madison. Jenkins scored 20 points including a three pointer that keyed an 11-0 run at the start of the second half to secure the Pride’s victory.

The Pride are back at the Mack on Saturday, when they host conference power Northeastern and talented guard Matt Janning at 4 p.m.