Hofstra women's basketball enhances chance at CAA tourney bye with win over Northeastern

When Hofstra women’s basketball seniors Sam Brigham and Jess Fuller were taken out in the final moments of Sunday afternoon’s game against Northeastern both showed signs of emotions knowing they had just finished their last regular season home contest. However their heralded Hofstra careers are far from over as the Pride’s 53-37 win over the Huskies keeps them very much alive for a top four Colonial Athletic Association finish that would earn a first round bye at the conference tournament that gets underway March 11.

Hofstra’s 53-37 win over Northeastern before 622 fans at the Mack Sports Complex puts the Pride (18-11, 11-6 in CAA) into a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings with Virginia Commonwealth and Drexel. Hofstra closes out the regular season this Wednesday evening at Delaware(18-10, 10-7 in CAA), who is just one game behind the Pride, and the winner of this game may very well end up with that all-important first round bye.

“[Getting a first round bye] is very important for your legs, for the physicality,” said Hofstra women’s basketball head coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey in the post game press conference of the importance for a top-four finish to enhance the Pride’s chances of winning the CAA Tournament and earning the program’s first NCAA Tourney bid. “I know it is an important goal for these guys and we want to close it out.”

Fuller and Brigham did their best to improve the Pride’s odds of achieving a top-four seed with solid performances on “Senior Day.” Fuller scored 12 points on 6-7 shooting while Brigham chipped in with six points and stepped up on defense by drawing a few charges.

“Both of these young ladies are very loyal,” said Kilburn-Steveskey of Brigham and Fuller when describing what they have both meant to the Hofstra women’s basketball program. “I owe a lot to both of these young ladies.”