Hempstead, NY – Junior Justin Wright-Foreman scored a game-high 16 points and senior Rokas Gustys added 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Hofstra Men's Basketball team to a 75-57 victory over the Owls of Kennesaw State in a non-conference game at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Monday night.
Hofstra improved to 2-0 on the season while Kennesaw falls to 0-2 on the year, In addition to Wright-Foreman's and Gustys' performance, the Pride also got 12 points out of sophomore Eli Pemberton. Wright-Foreman recorded his 24th consecutive game in double-digits and has led the Pride in scoring in a school-record (Division I) 14 consecutive contests. Gustys recorded his 35th career double-double contest.
Kennesaw State was led by juniors Kosta Jankovic with 15 points and Kyle Clarke with 12 points.
The Pride came out of the gate fast Monday night, scoring eight of the first 10 points. After the Owls closed to 10-6 after a Clarke tip-in at the 17:16 mark, Hofstra went on a 13-6 run behind four points from Pemberton and three from Gustys to take a 23-12 with 12:55 to play on a Hunter Sabety dunk.
Kennesaw chipped away and closed to 26-20 following a Jankovic three-point play with 8:56 to play in the period. But Hofstra went on a 15-5 run over the next 7:36 to open their biggest lead of the half at 41-25 with 1:20 to play after a Gustys lay-up before settling for a 41-27 lead at the break.
Gustys, graduate-student Joel Angus III and Pemberton each had eight points in the half with Gustys grabbing eight rebounds as well. His eight caroms moved him into 10th place on the CAA rebounding list. Jankovic and Masterson each had eight for the Owls.
The Pride held onto the double-digit lead in the second half as the Owls were only able to close to within 12 at 53-41 with 11:56 to play after a Hooker lay-up. But Hofstra went on a 15-4 run behind five points from freshman Matija Radovic and four each from Pemberton and Wright Forman to open up a 68-45 with 6:19 to play after a Wright-Foreman three-pointer.
Hofstra will return to action on Thursday, November 16 when they travel to Charleston, South Carolina for the three-day Gilden Charleston Classic at TD Arena. The Pride will take on the Flyers of Dayton at 7:30 in the first round of the tournament. The contest will be aired on ESPNU.
Notes:
- Monday's contest was the first meeting between Hofstra and Kennesaw State
- Hofstra shot 48% from the field hitting 28 of 58 shots while the Owls hit on only 30% (22-74) of their attempts.
- With his 13 rebounds, Gustys now has 958 career rebounds moving him past ODU's Alex Loughton and George Evans into 10th place on the CAA charts. He sits in third place on the Hofstra career rebounds list.
- The Owls of Kennesaw State are coached by Long Island product and former New York Nets star Al Skinner.
