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Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
Darius Faulk
Darius Faulk
75
Hofstra HOFSTRA 18-11, 11-7 CAA
76
Winner UNC Wilmington UNCW 14-15, 10-8 CAA
Hofstra HOFSTRA
18-11, 11-7 CAA
75
Final
76
UNC Wilmington UNCW
14-15, 10-8 CAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hofstra HOFSTRA 36 39 75
UNC Wilmington UNCW 38 38 76

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | By Brian Bohl

WBB: Hofstra Drops Regular Season Finale At UNCW

Wilmington, N.C. – Three Hofstra players scored in double figures to help the Pride build a second-half edge, but UNCW mounted a double-digit run to take the lead for good as the Pride fell to the Seahawks, 76-75, in the regular season finale on Wednesday evening at Trask Coliseum.

Junior guard Darius Faulk scored a career-high 18 points, freshman forward Ashunae Durant tallied 18 points and sophomore guard Kelly Loftus netted 14 points to pace Hofstra's offense, though the Pride fell to 18-11 and 11-7 in CAA play.

Shatia Cole registered a game-high 20 points as one of five UNCW players to finish in double figures. Kelva Atkins netted 18 points to help the surging Seahawks post its fourth consecutive win in improving to 14-15 and 10-8 in CAA play entering the conference tournament. Naqaiyyah Teague posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Before the game started, Hofstra had already clinched the third seed and will play in the CAA Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. against the sixth seed. Hofstra earned the highest seed entering the tournament in Head Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey's nine-season tenure with the Pride, as Hofstra's previous best regular season finish was fourth in 2012 and 2007. Hofstra earned the third seed in the CAA for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.

Hofstra took a 58-54 lead on Loftus' layup just after the second half's midway point. Faulk's layup put Hofstra ahead, 60-57, but UNCW went on a game-changing 10-0 run to take the lead for good. The Seahawks went ahead, 67-60, by holding Hofstra scoreless in a span of more than three minutes.

Faulk's layup with 1:33 left moved Hofstra within 73-71 and the Pride had a chance to tie or take the lead following a defensive stop. The Pride missed a jumper, though Durant got the rebound to keep the possession alive. A missed field goal on the low right block gave UNCW the ball back following Cole's rebound.

Amber Reeves made two free throws and converted three consecutively from the line in the final minute. That cushion proved valuable with White making a jumper in the final five seconds and Faulk getting the steal on the inbounds and feeding Durant, who scored a layup with 0.1 second left to account for the final score.

Hofstra and UNCW split the season series following Hofstra's 71-57 win at home on Jan. 18. Faulk's previous career high in points was 15, which was last set versus first-place James Madison on Feb. 6. Faulk finished with seven assists and seven rebounds, which came off a 13-point, six-rebound, eight-assist effort versus Elon.

Durant finished with eight rebounds against UNCW. The Pride also did well in the paint in scoring 56 points in the late (a plus-16 differential against the Seahawks).

Loftus scored in double figures for the 11th in the last 14 games and needed less than a half to reach that mark. Her team-high 12 first-half points helped turn a six-point deficit into a two-point shortfall at the half, 38-36.

UNCW's 13-2 run put the Seahawks ahead, 20-14, which was the most Hofstra trailed. Atkins scored 12 points and Cole hit 5-of-7 shots for 11 points to pace the home team in the opening half.
 
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