MBB falls to Estrada and Hofstra 76-72

[mat1992 2,354]

https://towsontigers.com/news/2023/2/2/mens-basketball-timberlake-records-a-career-high-32-points-towson-falls-76-72-at-hofstra.aspx

 

In a clash for second place in the CAA, Hofstra came out on top with a 76-72 home win on Thursday night over Towson. Aaron Estrada led the Pride with 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Towson controlled most of the first half, leading by double digits, despite dealing with foul trouble as Charles Thompson picked up two early fouls. They weren't in control of the second half, but it was more of a back-and-forth affair with Estrada going at it against Nicolas Timberlake, who had a career-high 32 points in 40 minutes. Hofstra shot 60.7% in the second half and 50% for the game. They also shot 7 of 14 from 3-point range in the second half and 39.3% for the game. Both teams shot 4-14 from 3-point range in the first half. 

Towson shot just 9 of 27 (33.3%) from long range for the game. Timberlake shot 7 of 11, but the rest of the team shot just 2 of 16. Cam Holden followed his triple-double with six points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, but shot just 3-of-10 from the field and 0-of-3 from the line. Thompson had just two points in 17 minutes with five boards.

Here is PS after the game on TSN" 
"Hofstra is really talented. We're going to look back and we're going to be disgusted with our transition D the last 12 minutes. We scored the ball and didn't sprint and get matched up. Estrada is a great player. The ability to guard those other guys in transition and total lack of awareness on transition D hurt (Tyler Thomas and Washington). That's on me. Hope all of our guys own that. Did not sprint back in transition D.

"I have to watch the transition D (on tape). I'm looking at our cross matchups on Thomas and Washington. Most of it in the second half. It stings. I can't believe how exasperating it was. I couldn't get our guys back. That hurts. It's what we learn from this.

We had a lot of open shots. We did. That's basketball. Our D did not travel that last 12 minutes and that's a shame. Our veteran guys have to own that."

On CT Getting in foul trouble
"He has to be better than that and certainly wasn't tonight"

[sr16 172]

As soon as CT picked up those quick 2, thought it was going to be a tough night but thought Chris stepped up early. Just couldn't run with them in the second half... Hopefully we can get our redemption on Charleston. 

[mat1992 2,354]

Drexel edges Charleston 70-69 so Hofstra is in first place at 9-2 with the tiebreaker. Delaware loses to Monmouth by 8. Elon beats Stony Brook on the road. UNCW crushes NC A&T at home by 24. It's about keeping a top-four seed now. First-place is not out of reach, but staying in that top four is more realistic.

[TuTigers2012 1,128]

They have bucket makers. We don’t.  Defense wasn’t bad but when you can hit tough shots and get some help from role players, it’s tough. One senior showed up. The other 4 did not. 

With  Drexel beating Charleston, next Saturday is a do or die for us, if we want a double bye and top 4 seed 

[TuTigers2012 1,128]

2 minutes ago, mat1992 said:

Drexel edges Charleston 70-69 so Hofstra is in first place at 9-2 with the tiebreaker. Delaware loses to Monmouth by 8. Elon beats Stony Brook on the road. UNCW crushes NC A&T at home by 24. It's about keeping a top-four seed now. First-place is not out of reach, but staying in that top four is more realistic.

Undefeated at the dac, trask and td while praying Hofstra looses to some bottom feeder?  Fat chance. 

[TuTigers2012 1,128]

The final 18:22 only 3 guys from Hofstra scored 

[mat1992 2,354]

Estrada was going to get his after going 0-for-10 from 3pt in the first game. Hofstra is not a great defensive team, but they slowed down Charles and doubled him in the few minutes he played in the second half. Warren Williams slowed him down in the second half and forced him away from the basket. Williams then dominated Biekeu and Coleman who struggled in the second half defending the post. That wasn't a huge problem in the second half because Thomas, Estrada and Washington combined to shoot 15 of 22. That was insane shooting, but as PS said, some of those came when we failed to matchup defensively after a made basket. Give Speedy Claxton credit for pushing the ball and getting us out of our comfort zone.

Despite winning six straight, it still seems that we have yet to get everyone on the same page offensively. Russell is all or nothing. Lately, it's been nothing from the perimeter. He's finishing better at the cup, but you need him to make 3s because Cam is not a threat and then teams will double him and CT in the post. Tough loss when you have the lead around 95% of the game, but it wasn't really surprising because it was Timberlake against three players. Not a fair fight.

[mat1992 2,354]

Team is off until next Wednesday when they host Hampton before traveling to Drexel. Will need to win both and hopefully Hicks will return on Wednesday because we do miss his defense and ability to push the ball. I would say that 40 minutes is a bit too much for Timberlake but I get in a game like tonight, you couldn't take him out. 

[TuTigers2012 1,128]

5 second count. Bad foul shooting. Russel and Holden not being able to throw the ball in the ocean and the Inability to get stops, killed us. 
tough when you’re a team of role players to win on the road Against a very good offensive team that can get what they want, when they want 

1 down 3 more to go against the top 4 home teams in the league..

[El Tigre Oro 89]

Everyone keeps saying top 4 seed. With 13 teams aren’t there only Bye’s for Top 3 seeds in CAA tourney?