Hofstra Dominates Monmouth 73-57 Behind Cruz Davis' 24 Points

Hofstra delivered a resounding 73-57 victory over Monmouth at the OceanFirst Bank Center, led by Cruz Davis' impressive 24-point performance. The Pride's convincing win not only showed their strength but also proved CHD Scout's pre-game prediction wrong, as they had favored Monmouth by 2.1 points. Instead, Hofstra controlled the game from start to finish, outscoring Monmouth 37-33 in the first half and maintaining their lead throughout the second half.

Cruz Davis was the star of the show, scoring 24 points to pace Hofstra's offense. He received significant support from Joshua Aaron Reaves, who added 17 points, and Preston Edmead, who contributed 13 points and 8 assists. The Pride's balanced attack and strong team defense limited Monmouth's scoring opportunities, holding them to just 24 points in the second half.

Monmouth's top performer, Justin Ray, scored 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hofstra's dominant performance. Cornelius Robinson III added 14 points, and Andrew Ball chipped in with 10 points, but the Hawks struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Despite being predicted to win by a slim margin, Monmouth was outplayed in nearly every aspect of the game.

The first half set the tone for the game, with Hofstra taking a 37-33 lead into the break. The Pride's strong defense and efficient offense allowed them to build on their lead in the second half, ultimately resulting in a 16-point victory. This win was a significant boost to Hofstra's tournament resume, as it marked a quality road victory over a decent opponent.

As a Quadrant 3 game for both teams, this outcome holds notable implications for their tournament chances. Hofstra, now boasting a 14-9 record, improves its NET ranking to 120. This win will be viewed favorably by the selection committee, as it demonstrates the Pride's ability to win on the road against a respectable opponent. On the other hand, Monmouth's loss drops them to 11-12, and their NET ranking remains at 199. While this defeat isn't devastating, it highlights the Hawks' need to perform better in their remaining games to strengthen their tournament profile.

In the end, Hofstra's dominant performance and convincing win over Monmouth will be a valuable addition to their tournament resume. With the Pride's strong showing, they take a significant step forward in their pursuit of a postseason berth, while Monmouth must regroup and refocus to achieve their own tournament aspirations.