Hempstead, NY - Hofstra put five players in double-figures, but it wasn't enough as UNCW picked up a 79-74 win over the Pride Saturday afternoon at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

The Seahawks outscored the Pride 16-5 over the final 5:40 to take the victory and split the season series with the Pride. Hofstra had won the first meeting, 68-56, on January 3 in Wilmington.

UNCW improves to 9-8 on the year and 4-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play. Hofstra falls to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.

Hofstra opened up a 7-2 lead behind five points from senior forward Moussa Kone in the opening two minutes of the game. UNCW responded with a 7-2 run to tie the score at 9-9 with 14:19 to go on a Freddie Jackson jumper. Following a three-pointer from junior Ameen Tanksley that put Hofstra up, 12-9, the Seahawks used a 4-0 spurt to take their first lead of the game at 13-12 with 11:59 on the clock.

The teams traded leads over the next two minutes before an 8-0 run put the Pride up 24-17 with 8:14 to go. A pair of free throws from Tanksley put the Pride up by eight, 31-23, with 5:16 to play. The Seahawks would cut the Hofstra lead to two, 35-33, on Jackson's jumper with 1:14 to play. But Juan'ya Green hit three free throws with less than a second on the clock to send the Pride into halftime with a 38-33 lead.

UNCW started the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 40-38 lead. Jackson had five of the Seahawks point in the run. Hofstra would reclaim the lead, 45-44, on a three-pointer from graduate guard Dion Nesmith with 14:49 to play. The Seahawks scored five quick points to go back up by four, 49-45.
The Seahawks would maintain the advantage until Kone's tip tied the score at 56 with 9:40 to play. The senior would put the Pride in the lead, 58-56, with two free throws at the 8:59 mark. But a personal foul and a technical foul on Kone would swing the momentum back in UNCW's favor as the Seahawks scored three points on the possession to take a 59-58 lead.

The Pride didn't waste time in taking back the momentum as Green hit two free throws to put Hofstra back up, 60-59, and Nesmith converted a pair from the stripe to extend to a 62-59 lead. After a UNCW basket, Tanksley buried a three-pointer to put the Pride up 65-61.

Hofstra would extend the lead to six, 69-63, on a long jumper from Green with 5:42 to play. UNCW would storm back with six consecutive points to tie the score at 69 with just under two minutes to play.  Green's free throw put the Pride up one, 70-69, but Jordan Talley knocked down a three-pointer to give UNCW a 72-70 edge with 1:27 to play.

On Hofstra's ensuing possession, the Pride gave up a long rebound and a fast break basket put the Seahawks up by four with 1:02 remaining. Green would hit a three-pointer to pull the Pride within one, 74-73, with 50 seconds to go and then Hofstra's defense forced a five second violation on the inbounds to regain possession. But the field goal attempt was missed and Talley was fouled after getting the rebound. He would hit one of two from the line to give UNCW a two-point edge, 75-73.

Green would hit one free throw on Hofstra's next possession, but Addison Spruill hit a pair of free throws on the other end and Hofstra missed a three on its next possession. Spruill would make it a five-point game, 79-74, with two more free throws. Hofstra would miss on its next possession and UNCW ran out the clock to secure the win.  

Tanksley led the Pride with 19 points and eight rebounds. Kone scored a season-high 14 points and also recorded his 100th career blocked shot early in the first half and is now fifth all-time in blocks at Hofstra with 101. Green also finished with 14 points, while Nesmith and junior forward Malik Nichols added 11 points.

Spruill led all scorers with 23 points, with 14 coming in the second half. Jackson had 21 points, while Talley chipped in with 17. C.J. Gettys added 10 points in the game.   

Hofstra continues its home stand Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the Pride host Drexel at the Mack Sports Complex.