The Hofstra University women’s basketball team experienced a disappointing 62-49 defeat against Manhattan College in a road matchup on Sunday, Nov. 17. Despite holding a lead for the majority of the game, the Pride couldn’t maintain their advantage, slipping to a record of 2-2, while the Jaspers improved to 3-1 following this victory.
Chloe Sterling and Emma Von Essen emerged as the standout performers for Hofstra, both reaching double digits in scoring. Sterling led the team with 14 points and contributed six rebounds along with a team-high four assists. Meanwhile, Von Essen added 12 points to the scoreline, including an impressive trio of 3-pointers. Defensively, LaNae’ Corbett dominated the boards with 10 rebounds, though she managed to score only four points. Zyheima Swint also showcased her efforts on defense by matching Sterling’s six rebounds.
Hofstra made a strong start, outscoring Manhattan 17-8 in the opening quarter. However, as the second quarter unfolded, missed shots and a slew of turnovers hindered the Pride’s momentum. This allowed the Jaspers to tighten the game, as they outscored Hofstra 11-7 during that period. Nevertheless, Hofstra managed to cling to a slim 24-19 lead as they headed into halftime.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Hofstra held a narrow 41-40 advantage, but the Jaspers quickly gained the upper hand, surging ahead with a commanding 22-8 run in the final 10 minutes. Emma Von Essen made a valiant effort by sinking three free throws with just over four minutes remaining, narrowing the gap to just three points. Unfortunately for the Pride, they were unable to convert any further field goals. Following Von Essen’s pivotal shots at the charity stripe, the Jaspers capitalized by going on a decisive 10-0 run to secure their victory. Hofstra’s struggles were evident as they shot a dismal 18.2% from the field in the fourth quarter, while Manhattan showcased efficiency with an impressive 56.3% shooting rate during the same period.
Hana Mühl from Manhattan, who tied Petra Juric as the game’s highest scorer with 16 points, effectively sealed the win with a 3-pointer with under two minutes remaining. Nitzan Amar recorded a game-high eight assists, facilitating Mühl’s crucial deep shot. Following this moment, both teams saw only three subsequent attempts at the basket, all of which resulted in misses, closing the contest.
Janaia Fargo, a key player for Hofstra, fouled out with just a minute left to play. She stood as the Pride’s third-highest scorer on the day, contributing nine points to the team’s effort.
Hofstra struggled with ball control, amassing a staggering total of 17 turnovers throughout the match, including five crucial mistakes in the fourth quarter. These turnovers led to Manhattan capitalizing significantly, scoring 16 points directly from Hofstra’s errors.
The Pride are eager to rebound as they prepare for their next challenge, traveling to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to face off against Lehigh University. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stabler Arena on Lehigh’s campus, where Hofstra aims to restore their winning streak.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
How do you intend to build on the individual performances of players like Chloe Sterling and Emma Von Essen as the season progresses?
**Interview with Hofstra Women’s Basketball Head Coach After Loss to Manhattan College**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach. Let’s dive right into the game against Manhattan College. Your team held the lead for most of the match but ultimately fell short. What do you think were the main factors that contributed to the loss?
**Coach:** Thank you for having me. It was a tough game for us. We started strong, especially in the first quarter, but we struggled to maintain our momentum. Our missed shots and turnovers in the second quarter really shifted the game’s energy. We were unable to recover from that as Manhattan took advantage of our mistakes and outscored us when it mattered in the latter stages.
**Editor:** Chloe Sterling and Emma Von Essen had impressive individual performances, both surpassing double digits in scoring. How do you feel about their efforts despite the team’s overall outcome?
**Coach:** I’m proud of both Chloe and Emma for stepping up and delivering solid performances. Chloe led the team with 14 points, and Emma’s three 3-pointers were crucial at times. Their efforts kept us competitive and showcased their talent. It’s important for us to build on those strengths moving forward.
**Editor:** Defense seemed to be a highlight, with LaNae’ Corbett grabbing 10 rebounds. How critical is defensive performance in your overall game plan, and what did you see from your team in that aspect today?
**Coach:** Defense is always a priority for us, and LaNae’ did an excellent job on the boards. Her 10 rebounds helped us at least maintain some control in that area. However, we need to translate that defensive effort into a more consistent performance throughout the game. We can’t let the other team capitalize on our turnovers, which is something we need to focus on in practice.
**Editor:** The team is now 2-2 for the season. What are your key takeaways moving forward, and how do you plan to address the challenges you faced against Manhattan?
**Coach:** We’ve got to keep our heads up. Each game is a learning experience. We need to refine our game plan, particularly in managing our possessions and maintaining composure when things aren’t going our way. Practices this week will focus on minimizing turnovers and improving our shot selection. We still have a long season ahead of us, and we’re determined to bounce back stronger.
**Editor:** Thanks for your insights, Coach. Good luck with the upcoming games!
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
