The men’s basketball team of Hofstra University suffered a challenging 71-68 defeat against Saint Louis at the Chaifetz Arena, despite an impressive display from Tyler Thomas, who netted 29 points during the game. Darlinstone Dubar also exhibited his talents with his third consecutive double-double, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Pride.
Regrettably, the loss brought an end to Hofstra’s five-game winning streak, dropping their overall record to 6-3. Conversely, Saint Louis improved to 6-5 with their triumph.
Throughout the game, Hofstra took an early lead, compelling the Billikens to call a timeout just 3:19 into the contest after an impressive five-point advantage. The lead continued to expand, reaching a peak of 27-16 after an 11-2 run by Hofstra. However, Saint Louis gradually reduced the deficit, ultimately seizing the lead before halftime.
The Pride managed to keep the game close in the second half, with Dubar making a critical three-pointer to extend their lead to five. Tyler Thomas also made significant contributions, scoring six consecutive points and giving Hofstra a narrow 68-67 lead with 1:22 remaining. Nonetheless, Saint Louis secured a late lead and ultimately claimed victory with a final score of 71-68.
In addition to Thomas and Dubar, Jaquan Carlos added 11 points and eight assists for the Pride, while Saint Louis witnessed strong performances from Tim Dalger and Terrence Hargrove Jr., who contributed 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Looking ahead, Hofstra is poised to face #22 Duke in a nationally televised game on ESPN2. This upcoming matchup will mark the conclusion of a challenging three-game road swing for the team.
Noteworthy highlights from the game included the first-ever meeting between Hofstra and Saint Louis in men’s basketball, as well as notable achievements by individual players. Dubar, for instance, became the first Hofstra player to achieve three consecutive double-doubles since Isaac Kante accomplished this feat in 2020. Thomas also continued to showcase his scoring prowess, reaching 20 or more points for the seventh time this season.
As the team prepares for their upcoming game against Duke, they will undoubtedly seek to bounce back from the recent loss while drawing upon the strengths and achievements demonstrated in their game against Saint Louis.