Hofstra Pride Defeats Charleston Cougars 66-62 Behind Cruz Davis's 23 Points

The Hofstra Pride secured a 66-62 win over the Charleston Cougars, led by Cruz Davis's impressive 23 points and 6 rebounds. Davis's performance was instrumental in Hofstra's victory, as he shot 9-15 from the field and helped his team maintain a lead throughout the game. Charleston's Chris Davis Jr. put up a strong effort with 14 points and 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hofstra's balanced attack. The Pride's 37 points in the first half set the tone for the game, and they were able to hold off Charleston's second-half surge.

The game was closely contested, with Hofstra taking a 37-30 lead into halftime. The Pride's German Plotnikov added 20 points and 5 rebounds to complement Davis's performance, while Biggie Patterson chipped in with 9 points and 8 rebounds. Charleston's Colby Duggan and Chadlyn Traylor scored 14 and 11 points, respectively, but the Cougars were unable to overcome Hofstra's 7-point advantage at the break. In the second half, Charleston outscored Hofstra 32-29, but the Pride's first-half lead proved insurmountable. The Cougars' 62 points were their second-lowest total in their last 5 games, and they struggled to find consistency on offense.

Cruz Davis and Chris Davis Jr. were the standout performers in the game, with Davis's 23 points leading all scorers. German Plotnikov's 20 points and 5 rebounds were also crucial for Hofstra, as they helped to stretch the defense and create scoring opportunities. For Charleston, Colby Duggan's 14 points were a bright spot, but the Cougars struggled to find a consistent rhythm on offense. Biggie Patterson's 9 points and 8 rebounds were important for Hofstra, as they helped to control the paint and limit Charleston's second-chance opportunities. The Pride's top performers combined for 52 of their 66 points, highlighting their reliance on a balanced attack.

Hofstra's 66 points were fueled by their 45.5% shooting from the field, including 5-15 from three-point range. The Pride also outrebounded Charleston 35-29, with Biggie Patterson and Cruz Davis combining for 14 boards. Charleston, on the other hand, shot just 41.9% from the field and struggled to find their rhythm on offense. The Cougars did manage to force 14 Hofstra turnovers, but they were unable to capitalize on these mistakes and score easy baskets. Hofstra's 37 points in the first half were their highest total in a half since their game against Delaware on January 25.

The CHD Scout predicted a Hofstra victory by 8.5 points, and while the actual margin was 4 points, the model was still correct in picking the Pride as the winner. The predicted score was 70-61 in favor of Hofstra, but the actual score was 66-62. The model accurately forecasted Hofstra's strong performance, but underestimated Charleston's ability to stay in the game. The Cougars' 62 points were 8 fewer than the predicted total, highlighting their struggles on offense. Despite this, the CHD Scout model demonstrated its effectiveness in predicting the outcome of the game.

This win was a Quadrant 3 victory for Hofstra, and it helped to solidify their position in the NCAA tournament picture. The Pride's NET ranking of 105 will likely remain relatively stable, but this win could help to boost their confidence and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Charleston, this loss was also a Quadrant 3 game, and it dropped their record to 16-10. The Cougars' NET ranking of 174 will likely take a hit, but they still have opportunities to improve their resume and make a push for the postseason. Hofstra's 17-9 record and Quadrant 3 win will be important factors in their tournament resume, and they want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.

Hofstra's next game is scheduled for February 15 against the Towson Tigers, while Charleston will face the UNC Wilmington Seahawks on February 17. Both teams want to build on their performances in this game and make a push for the postseason. Hofstra will aim to carry their momentum into the Towson game, where they will face a tough test against the Tigers' strong defense. Charleston, on the other hand, want to bounce back from this loss and get back on track against UNC Wilmington.