The Hofstra University women’s basketball team faced a disappointing 62-49 defeat against Manhattan College on Sunday, Nov. 17, after spending a significant portion of the matchup holding a lead. This loss dropped the Pride’s record to 2-2, while the Jaspers improved their standing to 3-1.
Chloe Sterling and Emma Von Essen emerged as the standout players for Hofstra, both surpassing the ten-point mark. Sterling led the team with 14 points, complemented by six rebounds and a team-best four assists, while Von Essen contributed with 12 points, which included a trio of successful 3-point attempts. Additionally, LaNae’ Corbett excelled defensively, securing 10 rebounds despite only managing to score four points, and Zyheima Swint matched Sterling’s effort with six rebounds.
Hofstra established an early advantage, outscoring Manhattan 17-8 in the first quarter. However, a combination of missed opportunities and turnovers hindered their momentum in the second quarter. The Jaspers capitalized on Hofstra’s struggles, outscoring them 11-7 during that stretch; nevertheless, the Pride maintained a slim lead with a score of 24-19 heading into halftime.
As the fourth quarter began, Hofstra clung to a narrow 41-40 lead, but the Jaspers managed to break away, dominating the final period with an impressive 22-8 scoring run. After Emma Von Essen converted three crucial free throws midway through the quarter to narrow the gap to just three points, Hofstra’s offense fell silent. The Jaspers sealed the victory by unleashing a 10-0 run in the final four minutes of play. The Pride’s shooting performance in the fourth quarter was dismal, as they only hit 18.2% of their attempts, contrasting sharply with the Jaspers’ 56.3% shooting efficiency.
Hana Mühl, who tied with Petra Juric for a team-high 16 points for Manhattan, delivered a decisive blow with a 3-pointer just under two minutes left in the game, marking the final basket of the night. Nitzan Amar facilitated Mühl’s clutch shot by recording her game-high eight assists. Following that pivotal moment, both teams combined for only three more shot attempts in the closing moments, all of which resulted in misses.
Janaia Fargo faced an early exit, fouling out with just a minute remaining on the clock. She was Hofstra’s third-highest scorer in the game, finishing with nine points.
Turnovers once again haunted the Pride, as they coughed up the ball 17 times throughout the contest, including five crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. Manhattan took advantage of Hofstra’s miscues, scoring 16 points off their turnovers.
The Pride are eager to bounce back and reclaim their winning form as they prepare to head to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for a matchup against Lehigh University. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stabler Arena on Lehigh’s campus.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
What specific strategies will be emphasized in practice to address ball control and communication issues?
**Interview with Hofstra University Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Jessica Smith**
**Interviewer:** Coach Smith, thanks for joining us today. It was a tough game against Manhattan College. Can you take us through the key moments that you think affected the outcome?
**Coach Smith:** Thanks for having me. Yes, it was definitely disappointing. We started strong and took an early lead in the first quarter. Our defense was solid, and players like Chloe Sterling and Emma Von Essen really showed up offensively. However, in the second quarter, we became a bit complacent. Missed opportunities and turnovers allowed Manhattan to gain some momentum. Even though we went into halftime with a slim lead, we could feel the shift in energy.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of energy, how would you assess the performance of players like Chloe and Emma who stood out with their scoring?
**Coach Smith:** They played exceptionally well under pressure. Chloe was aggressive, not just in scoring but also in facilitating plays. Emma’s ability to stretch the defense with her three-point shooting was crucial, and it kept us in the game. However, while they performed well individually, we need a more cohesive team effort to close out games, especially when we have control.
**Interviewer:** LaNae’ Corbett had a strong defensive presence with 10 rebounds, though her scoring was limited. How important is her contribution to the team?
**Coach Smith:** LaNae’ is invaluable to us. Defense wins games, and her ability to secure rebounds gives us second-chance opportunities. I always tell the team that contributions come in various forms, and her defensive work often gets overshadowed by scoring, but it’s essential for our success.
**Interviewer:** With the record now standing at 2-2, what are your plans for the upcoming practices to address the issues from this game?
**Coach Smith:** We’ll focus on tightening our ball control and improving communication on the court. Our goal is to build on the positives, especially our strong start, while learning from our mistakes. The girls are eager to improve, and we’ll work on our mental fortitude to maintain leads throughout games.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Smith. Best of luck in the next game!
**Coach Smith:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
