White Plains, NY (Nov. 25) - Bronski Dockery had a game-high 21 points to lead five players in double figures as the St. Francis (N.Y.) Men's Basketball team captured a 72-56 win over Hofstra on Monday evening at the Coaches vs. Cancer Snapple College Slam at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
The loss drops Hofstra's record to 0-2 on the season, while the Terriers captured their season opener to start the year 1-0. The Pride fell behind 31-19 at the half after shooting just 6-18 (33.3%) and turning the ball over 20 times in the first 20 minutes. St. Francis went on a 17-2 run to stretch a 13-9 lead into a 30-11 advantage with 3:31 left in the half. Forward Cliff Strong started the run with a three-pointer, and capped it off with a lay-up.
St. Francis extended its lead up to as many as 21 points in the second half at 50-29 with 10:27 left in the game. Hofstra put on a 16-6 spurt to get back within 56-45 with 5:25 left on a three pointer from senior forward Osei Millar. However, Terrier guard Tory Cavalieri answered right back with a three-pointer of his own to end any Hofstra comeback hopes.
Hofstra was led for the second straight game by sophomore forward Kenny Adeleke, who had 15 points (14 in the second half) and seven rebounds (all in the second half). Adeleke was the only Pride player in double figures, as Millar and sophomore guard Michael Radziejewski each had nine points and sophomore guard Woody Souffrant had eight points and seven assists.
Joining Dockery in double figures for St. Francis were Cavalieri with 14 (and six assists), Strong with 13 (and eight rebounds), John Quintana with 11 and Chris Sockwell with 10. Hofstra ended the game with 27 turnovers after taking better care of the ball in the second half, but the hole was too deep to overcome.
Hofstra will next be in action when it hosts the Hofstra/Wingate Holiday Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, the first in-season tournament that the Pride has hosted since the 1987-88 season. Hofstra meets Lehigh in the first round on Saturday at 7 p.m., following the 5 p.m. match-up between Quinnipiac and Texas-Pan American. The consolation game is slated for Sunday at 12 noon, while the championship is set for 2 p.m.
