Hempstead, NY- Freshman forward Shante Evans posted a double-double and three other Hofstra players scored in double figures to lead the Pride to a 70-48 victory over Niagara in a non-conference matchup Thursday night at the Mack Sports Complex.

Evans (West Chester, PA) scored a team-high 13 points with 11 rebounds for her third career double-double while sophomore guards and Staten Island natives Candice Bellocchio (11 points) and Nicole Capurso (12 points) added key outside shooting as the Pride won its second in a row to improve to 5-3. Ali Morris scored 14 points for Niagara, which fell to 2-7.

Senior center Jess Fuller (Queens, NY) finished two rebounds shy of joining Evans in the double-double club, scoring 12 points on 6-7 shooting while adding eight rebounds and six blocks. Senior guard Sam Brigham (Simsbury, CT) chipped in nine points to help Hofstra improve to 4-0 at home.

The Pride held Niagara to just 30.2 percent shooting from the field in holding an opponent under 50 points for the third time this season. Hofstra capitalized on the plethora of missed shots, out-rebounding Niagara, 47-26, while establishing a 32-16 edge in points in the key. 

Hofstra found early success feeding the ball down low while also opening the perimeter, surging to an 8-0 run capped by freshman Candace Bond's jumper to put Hofstra ahead by double digits nine minutes into the contest.

Eight different Pride players scored at least two points in the opening half to sustain the offensive pressure. The balanced scoring attack helped Hofstra forge a 14-1 run punctuated by Evans' layup with 3:04 remaining. The Pride's bench contributed 15 points before the break.

Fuller provided a low-post presence, blocking five shots and hauling in five rebounds in scoring six points on 3-3 shooting through the opening 20 minutes. Capurso and Brigham complemented Fuller by scoring nine points apiece to lead Hofstra to a 39-24 halftime lead.

Capurso put the Pride ahead by a game-high 26 points with almost five minutes left, converting a layup to give Hofstra a 64-38 edge. Evans scored all but two of her points in the second half, hitting three of her five shots following intermission.

Hofstra will cross the East River Saturday to take on local rival Manhattan in a non-conference matchup. Opening tap is set for 2 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium.