HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Hofstra used a strong second half to defeat the Tigers, 66-55 on Thursday evening in Colonial Athletic Association action. The Tigers (6-7, 0-2 CAA) got 10 points apiece from Deree Fooks and Tanisha McTiller.
Trailing 30-25 coming out of the break, Hofstra allowed the Tigers to score the first basket of the half. The Pride then rattled off 17 straight points to turn a seven point deficit into a 42-32 advantage with 15:17 to play. Kate Loper and Nicole Capurso had six points apiece for the Pride during the run. A free throw by the Tigers briefly broke up the Hofstra run. However, Hofstra would score 13 of the next 17 points to extend its advantage to 55-37 with 8:12 to play in the game. That was Hofstra's largest lead of the contest. Towson answered with a 16-4 run of its own to cut Hofstra's advantage to 59-53 with 3:09 to play. Towson's run was aided by a 10-for-12 performance at the foul line during that stretch. McTiller had six points from the line and Simona Petronyte hit a pair of three-pointers. Hofstra scored seven of the final nine points to seal the victory.
The Tigers had started the game with a strong 10-2 run. Dovile Miliauskaite scored four of the first 10 points for the Tigers. The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes with a Sheree Ledbetter jumper putting the Tigers up 14-6 with 9:59 to play. The two teams continued to battle on both ends of the court. A Jessica Haywood jumper at 3:43 put Towson up 26-17. Hofstra scored eight of the final 12 points in the half to make it a 30-25 game at the break.
In addition to her 10 points, Fooks had eight rebounds and a blocked shot. McTiller added seven rebounds and three assists in the game. Miliauskaite grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds with six points. Krystal Parnell finished with six rebounds and nine assists in the game. Haywood added a season-high eight points.
Shante Evans led Hofstra with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Capurso contributed 17 points. Loper and Candace Bond finished with 11 points apiece.
Towson returns to action on Sunday, January 9 when it travels to UNC Wilmington for a 2 p.m. game.
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