Hofstra women's basketball picks up first CAA win with triumpth of Georgia State

Being in the midst of a four-game losing streak and facing the prospect of an 0-3 conference start, the Hofstra women’s basketball team came into its Jan. 10th home game against Georgia State with a sense of urgency and it showed on defense. After quickly falling behind 5-0 the Pride held the Panthers to only four field goals the remainder of the first half.

Hofstra’s ability to hold Georgia State’s offense at bay with only 30 percent shooting for the game helped the Pride (8-7, 1-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association) pick up a critical 58-49 win to avoid that dreaded 0-3 conference start.

“We’ve weathered a nice tornado, tsunami and we’re getting out of [the storm],” said Hofstra women’s basketball head coach Krista Kilburn- Steveskey of the Pride snapping its five-game losing streak.

The Pride captured the key CAA win before 658 fans at the Mack Sports Complex despite committing 30 turnovers. Hofstra led 20-10 late in the first half before the Panthers headed into the locker room with a 9-0 run and scored the first four of the second half for a 23-20 lead. Trailing 28-24 with 17:43 left in the game the Pride took control of the game with a 24-6 run over the next 11:33 to grab its largest lead at 48-34.

Hofstra had three players in double-figures led by 14 apiece from junior center Jess Fuller and red-shirt sophomore guard Candice Bellocchio. Senior guard Sam Brigham chipped in with 10 points while freshman power forward Shante Evans complimented a solid defensive effort by scoring eight on 4-5 shooting.

“We showed that we’re capable of doing what we work on every day in a game,” said Fuller of the Pride putting its hard work in practice on display in the win over Georgia State.

Hofstra’s next game will be at home Thursday against defending CAA champion Drexel. The Dragons (8-6, 2-1 in CAA) fell at Old Dominion 69-59 Sunday, which snapped its 15-game conference winning streak.