HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - A couple of freshmen stepped up and provided Hofstra the spark it needed to overcome the Tigers, 77-61, Wednesday night giving the Pride a CAA sweep of Towson for the 2009-10 season.
The loss was the fifth in a row for the Tigers who dropped to 3-10 and 0-4 in the league. It was their eighth straight loss on the road stretching back into last season. Hofstra improved to 9-7 and 3-1 in CAA play.
The Tigers and Pride were battling back-and-forth with several lead changes and five ties until Towson let its guard down. The Tigers were enjoying a five-point lead, 30-25, when the Pride took off on a 12-0 run to grab a 37-30 advantage. Hofstra never looked back.
Chaz Williams, a 5-9 freshman guard, was the leader in Hofstra's assault, scoring 14 of the Pride's final 24 points of the half including four three-point baskets. Williams finished with 16 points, scoring just two points in the second half on a pair of free throws.
Hofstra assumed a 45-36 lead at the break.
Williams got support from freshman forward Halil Kanacevic who poured in a career high 18 points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds.
The Pride maintained at least a nine-point lead in the second half and led by as many 19 late.
Towson was paced by Robert Nwankwo who recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also added six blocks. Calvin Lee was the Tigers' top scorer with 17 points.
Towson is in action again this Saturday when they travel to James Madison for a 2:00 p.m. date with the Dukes. The game will be carried back to Towson on WTMD 89.7 FM and televised on Comcast SportsNet Washington.
