TOWSON, Md. – A big second half lifted Hofstra University to a 70-61 win over the Towson University women's basketball team on Friday night in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Guards Raven Bankston and Raine Bankston both scored in double figures to lead the Tigers.

THE BASICS
Hofstra 70, Towson 61
SECU Arena, Towson, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tigers got off to a hot start in the first quarter. Freshman guard Nukiya Mayo drained a pair of three-pointers to help the home team open up an 8-2 lead with 7:45 to go in the stanza.
• Towson pushed its advantage to 12-5 on a pair of free throws from junior forward Mary Cuevas with 4:55 showing on the clock.
• Hofstra scored eight of the final 11 points in the quarter but the Tigers led 15-13 after 10 minutes of play.
• The Tigers scored four of the first six points in the second quarter and led 19-15 with 4:47 to go in the stanza.
• The two teams traded baskets before a jumper from freshman guard Etalyia Vogt made it a 24-21 game in favor of the home team.
• Vogt went 1-for-2 from the foul line with 18 seconds showing on the clock and Towson took a 27-22 advantage at the half.
• Hofstra opened the third quarter on what proved to be a key 16-4 run. That scoring stretch turned a five-point deficit into a seven-point advantage, 38-31 with 5:28 to go in the quarter. Krystal Luciano had back-to-back three-pointers during that run.
• The two teams traded points before a triple from Raine Bankston cut the Tiger deficit to two, 40-38 with 2:35 showing on the clock.
• Hofstra scored eight of the final 12 points in the quarter and took a 48-42 lead after three periods of play. Ana Hernandez Gil had all eight points for the Pride during that run.
• Towson opened the fourth quarter on a 13-4 run and led 55-52 with 5:54 to play in the game. Raven Bankston tallied six of the Tigers' 13 points during that stretch.
• A jumper from junior center Daijha Thomas gave the Tigers a 57-54 lead with 5:22 to play.
• On the next possession a three-pointer from Luciano started a 13-4 run by the visitors to close out the game and seal the 70-61 victory. Ashunae Durant had six points for the Pride during that closing stretch.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Towson held Hofstra to just nine points in the second quarter. It was the eighth time this season the Tigers have held an opponent to nine points or less in a quarter.
• Hofstra made six of it's seven three-pointers in the second half and was 10-for-14 from the foul line in the third and fourth quarters combined.
• The Tigers featured a balanced attack as all 10 players who appeared in the game scored at least two points. Raven Bankston had a team-high 14 points while Raine Bankston added 11 points.
• For the second straight game Cuevas led the Tigers on the boards, this time finishing with nine rebounds while adding eight points and three blocks.
• Mayo made her first career start and had six points and six rebounds while Vogt finished with seven points and four assists.
• Luciano led Hofstra with 19 points, six assists and five steals.

The Tigers wrap up the weekend when they host the College of Charleston on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. It's the Tigers' Hometown Heroes game and all military personnel and first responders can receive four free tickets to the game.