Hempstead, NY – Junior Jakelle King-Gilchrist tallied a career-high 19 points off the bench to lead three Pride players in double-figures as Hofstra recorded a 78-53 victory over the College of Charleston in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams at the Mack Sports Complex Sunday afternoon.

Hofstra, winners of five of their last six contests, improved to 8-4 overall and 1-0 in the CAA. The Cougars of CofC, who came in after winning two of their last three games, fell to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

King-Gilchrist, who topped her previous best of 11 points set against UNCW last January, was 7-for 10 from the field, including two of five from the three-point line, and three of four from the charity stripe. Also joining her in double-figures for the Pride were sophomore Anjie White with 11 points and freshman Ashunae Durant with 10 points. White, a transfer from George Washington University, also tallied 11 rebounds to record career-highs in both categories and post her first collegiate double-double. Durant also grabbed eight boards for the Pride. Junior Darius Faulk posted a game-high seven assists.

The Pride shot 52 percent (29-for-56) from the field and outrebounded CofC, 43-25 in the contest. Hofstra held a 44-0 advantage in bench points. Thirty of those points came from White and King-Gilchrist, who each logged 22 minutes in reserve roles. 

Charleston, which had four players in double-figures, was led by junior Jackie Luna-Castro and freshman Shiclasia Brown with 14 points each. Brown also posted a team-high six assists. Junior Christy Hewatt and sophomore Breanna Bolden each added 11 points for the Cougars. Charleston shot 34 percent (20-59) from the field including 42 percent in the second half.

Hofstra, which never trailed in the contest, jumped on the Cougars early. After splitting the first eight points, King-Gilchrist hit a three-pointer at the 17:30 mark that started a 16-2 Pride run over the next 5:44. King-Gilchrist had seven points in the run while White added six for the Pride. Dee Thomas-Palmer's jumper at the 11:46 mark ended the Hofstra run and gave the Pride a 20-6 advantage.

Charleston then scored six of the next nine points to close to 23-12 on a Brown three-point play at the 10:27 mark. But the Pride responded with a 14-6 spurt, with Luciano posting five and White adding four in the run, over the final 10:24 of the half to open up a 37-18 lead at halftime. 

Hofstra shot 58 percent (15-for-26) from the field in the first half and received solid inside play, getting 16 points in the paint. The Pride also benefitted from 22 points off the bench as White and King Gilchrist each tallied 10 points in the period. While Hofstra was shining the Cougars struggled hitting just seven of 28 field goals (25%) and committing 13 turnovers. Hewatt tallied six and Brown added five for Charleston.

It didn't get any better for CofC in the second half as Hofstra come out and outscored the Cougars, 13-8 over the first 4:03 to open up their biggest lead of the contest, to that point, at 50-26 on a King-Gilchrist three-pointer.

Hewatt's jumper 26 seconds later started a 10-4 Charleston spurt over the next 4:31 with her free throw at the 11:00 mark ending the run and bringing the Cougars to within 18 at 54-36. CofC would not get any closer.

King-Gilchrist responded with consecutive lay-ups to boost the Pride lead back to 22 at 58-36 with 9:34 to play in the contest. Hofstra would build the lead to 25 in the waning minutes including the final margin on a Stephania Oramas jumper with 24 seconds to play.
 
Hofstra, which has begun a busy eight-day stretch which will see the Pride play four games, returns to action on Tuesday, January 6 when CAA-foe Northeastern visits the Mack Sports Complex for a 7 p.m. game.