Albany, NY – Senior
Rokas Gustys had 18 points and 15 rebounds to become only the third player in program history, and the second at the NCAA Division I level, to reach 1,000 career rebounds, but his career milestone was overshadowed as the Hofstra Men's Basketball team dropped an 85-76 decision to Siena on Saturday afternoon at the Times Union Center.
Gustys needed 13 rebounds entering the game for the milestone and ended up reaching it in the second half as he posted his 37th career double-double in the process. His 1,002 career rebounds ranks third behind Bill Thieben (1,837 from 1953-56) and John Irving (1,186 from 1974-77 – Division I record). In addition he became on the ninth player in Colonial Athletic Association history to surpass 1,000 career rebounds.
The loss evens Hofstra's record at 3-3 this season, while Siena improved to 1-4 with the victory. Junior
Justin Wright-Foreman led all scorers in the game with 25 points, while Nico Clareth and Prince Oduro each had 17 points to lead the Saints.
Hofstra faced a 55-46 deficit with just under 13 minutes left in regulation before using a 9-3 scoring run to close the gap to three, 58-55, with 9:53 remaining. The Pride would have a chance to knot the score on its next possession but missed a shot from beyond the arc and Siena would answer with six straight points to take control en route to the win.
Hofstra is back in action on Thursday when it hosts Molloy at 7 p.m. For ticket information visit HofstraTickets.com, call (516) HOF-TIXX or visit the Hofstra Athletics Box Office in the lobby of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
NOTES
- Hofstra is now 5-3 all-time against Siena. Today's game marked Head Coach
Joe Mihalich's 39th all-time contest against Siena, his most common faced opponent in his 20-year head coaching career.
- Wright-Foreman and sophomore
Eli Pemberton (11 points) have each reached double figures in all of the games they have appeared in this season (Wright-Foreman – 6, Pemberton – 5).
- Hofstra committed a season-low six turnovers in the game.