Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra will be looking to close a three-game homestand with momentum when the Pride welcomes UC Davis to the Mack Sports Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a non-conference matchup.
After coming off the largest margin of victory in program history, Hofstra (3-3) will try and move over .500 against a UC Davis squad that is 2-4 and will face No. 1 UConn on Thursday night before coming to New York.
For ticket information to all Hofstra Basketball home games please call (516) HOF-TIXX or visit GoHofstra.com/tix. Free PRIDE ZONE Live Video/Audio of Saturday's game is available on GoHofstra.com. Live audio can be heard on the PRIDE ZONE on GoHofstra.com, GoHofstra app, WRHU (88.7 FM) and WRHU.org.
Hofstra set numerous program records in a 101-38 victory over Concordia (N.Y.) on Monday. The 63-point victory margin shattered the program's previous record of 50, which was reached twice. Both of Hofstra's 50-point wins came in 1978-79 when the school defeated Barnard (76-26) and Hunter (80-30).
The Pride also set records from a game in the Mack Sports Complex for total points, breaking the previous record of 94 set versus Seton Hall on Dec. 1, 2011. The victory margin also bested a pair of 33-point wins, most recently versus Rider on Nov. 26, 2011, for a new mark. All those previous records still are highs against Division I opponents (Concordia plays in Division II).
Freshmen Krystal Luciano and Kelly Loftus thrived in extending playing time in Hofstra's last game. Luciano set a personal high with 17 points off the bench, going 5-for-5 from the field and notching six steals in 30 minutes. Like Luciano, Loftus also finished in double figures for the first time in her career with 10 points— and four steals— in 24 minutes. Elo Edeferioka, the roster's other freshman, grabbed 10 rebounds in 14 minutes.
Sophomore Ruth Sherrill scored a career-high 13 points as one of five Pride players in double figures. In all, Head Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey's team scored 43 points off turnovers against the Clippers. The game marked the fifth time Hofstra had ever cracked the 100-point plateau.
Entering the week, Hofstra boasted the Colonial Athletic Association's top-ranked scoring offense at 72.5 points per game. Seniors Anma Onyeuku (12.6) and Annie Payton (12.2) continue to pace the Pride's attack with junior point guard Andreana Thomas right behind with 10 points and a 6.5 assist-per-game average that is second in the league and an assist-to-turnover ratio that is third (1.9).
Hofstra will now host a UC Davis squad that is a member of the Big West conference. The contest will mark the first all-time meeting between the schools. The Aggies entered the week with wins in two of the last three games before taking on UConn. UC Davis put up a season-high 95 points in a 34-point win over San Jose State at home on Nov. 26.
A good three-point shooting team, UC Davis has hit on 35.6 percent of its long-range attempts compared to just 29.5 percent for the opposition. The Aggies have also been solid from the free-throw line, going 85-for-112 (75.9 percent). Three UC Davis players are averaging in double figures. Sydnee Fipps leads the group with 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 27.7 minutes. Kelsey Harris (11.7 PPG) and Alyson Doherty (10.3) are also averaging double digits.
