Cleveland, OH – Hofstra suffered a 62-46 road loss to Cleveland State on Saturday from inside the Wolstein Center.

Brandy Thomas scored nine points to lead the Pride, while Rosi Nicholson and Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes scored eight points each. Alarice Gooden and Zyheima Swint pulled down a team-best seven rebounds apiece, while Gooden added seven points to the cause, and Emma Von Essen dished out three assists.

The Vikings built a quick seven-point lead on the Pride early in the first quarter before Ross-Barnes sunk a jumper to put the Pride on the board. A Nicholson jumper put Hofstra within three, but Cleveland State scored nine unanswered points to build a 12-point lead with 1:49 to go in the quarter. A layup from Ross-Barnes cut the Viking run, but the hosts four of the final six points of the quarter to lead 20-8 over Hofstra.

Hofstra cut Cleveland State's lead to single-digits several times in the second quarter, closing to within eight at 3:43 with a pair of Janaia Fargo free throws, but the Vikings scored five straight points to go ahead by 13. Kayley Joseph-Bernard sunk a pair of late free throws to put the score at 34-23 entering halftime.

Cleveland State upped its lead to 20 points in the third quarter after outscoring Hofstra, 18-9. Hofstra rattled off nine of the first 11 points to start the fourth quarter, cutting Cleveland State's lead to 12 after a Von Essen three-pointer. The Vikings ended the game on a 5-2 run to put their lead at 16 at the final whistle.

Clevaland State's Destiny Leo led all players with 19 points, and Brittni Moore pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.

Hofstra opens its home schedule on Friday, November 18, at 2 p.m. against North Carolina Central. Visit HofstraTickets.com to purchase tickets online or call (516) HOF-TIXX for more information.

NOTES:
-Hofstra's all-time record against Cleveland State falls to 0-2.
-Hofstra edged Cleveland State in rebounds (46-41) and three-point baskets (5-4).
-The Pride had 24 points off the bench to Cleveland State's 19.