Hempstead, NY – Three members of the Hofstra women's basketball team finished in double figures as the Pride earned a commanding 82-54 win over visiting UNCW from the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex in the Coastal Athletic Association opener for both programs.
 
Hofstra improves to 7-5 overall and 1-0 in the CAA with its first win in a conference opener since January 3, 2016 against Delaware. UNCW, meanwhile, falls to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in league play.
 
Sorelle Ineza led the way for the home side with 17 points on 7-10 shooting from the field and three three-pointers, while Emma Von Essen sunk five treys to tally 15 against the Seahawks, and Zyheima Swint posted 10 points. Brooke Anya led all players with 11 rebounds, and she and Ally Knights tied for the team-lead with four assists.
 
UNCW opened up a five-point lead inside the first three minutes of the game, but the lead quickly evaporated thanks to a Knights layup and a basket from downtown by Janaia Fargo on back-to-back possessions, and the home side took the lead thanks to a on Essen three at the 6:27 mark. After a Taylor Henderson three cut the Pride's lead to three with 4:26 left in the first quarter, Hofstra ended the quarter on a 9-1 run to lead the Seahawks by 11.
 
The Pride dominated the second quarter, outscoring UNCW 20-7 while shooting 8-16 from the floor and limiting the Seahawks to just one basket on 13 attempts to lead by 24 at the break. Hofstra's control over the game carried into the second half until the final whistle, as UNCW cut the gap to under 20 points just once in two quarters as the Pride picked up the 28-point win over the Seahawks to begin its 2024 CAA campaign.
 
Evan Miler led UNCW with 21 points, and Henderson chipped in 15 for the guests.
 
Hofstra returns to action on Sunday, January 7, with a 2 p.m. contest against William & Mary on MSG Network. For ticket information, visit HofstraTickets.com, call (516) HOF-TIXX, or visit the Hofstra Athletics Ticket Office in the Mack Sports Complex lobby during normal business hours.
 
NOTES:
-This was Hofstra's eighth consecutive win over UNCW, and the Pride are now 27-19 all-time over the Seahawks.
-Hofstra's bench heavily outscored the UNCW bench, 45-5, and the Pride edged the Seahawks in points in the paint (32-22) and second-chance points (22-11).
-Tionna Baker pulled down eight rebounds in just under 11 minutes of action.
-With a 6-6 mark from the free throw line, Hofstra went perfect on free throws for the first time since going 4-4 against Northeastern on January 22, 2023.