Hofstra University Athletics

BELLOCCHIO SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR ASSISTS IN WIN OVER ST. FRANCIS

11/19/2009 2:00:00 AM

Brooklyn, NY - Redshirt sophomore guard Candice Bellocchio broke the single game school record for assists with 14 as she led the Hofstra Women's Basketball team to an 88-63 victory over St. Francis College (NY) on Wednesday evening in the Pope Physical Education Center.

Bellocchio broke the previous mark of 13 set by Liz Irwin during the 1979-80 campaign against Mercy. The tying assist came with 5:37 to play on a pass to freshman forward Shante Evans, while the record-setter occurred with 3:40 remaining on a pass to junior forward Isoken Uzamere.

The win improves Hofstra's record to 2-0 this season, marking its first 2-0 start since the 2004-05 team began 2-0 as well. St. Francis falls to 0-2 with the loss.

Bellocchio is in her third season in a Hofstra uniform as she appeared in 30 games as a freshman in 2007-08 and seven as a sophomore last season before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.

As a Division I institution Hofstra is now 45-9 all-time when scoring 80 or more points and the Pride has now won 14 games when scoring 80 or more points.

With Hofstra leading 9-8 following a jumper from senior guard Sam Brigham at the 14:35 mark of the first half, the Terriers put together a 7-2 run to earn a 15-11 advantage with 12:48 left in the half. The run culminated with a layup from Kendra Williams and forced Hofstra to utilize its first timeout of the contest. It wouldn't take long for the Pride to regain the lead, though, as a basket from freshman guard Candace Bond, followed by a layup from Brigham and a free throw from senior center Jess Fuller gave Hofstra a 16-15 lead nearing the midway point of the half.

The score would be knotted at 19 with under nine minutes to play in the stanza before Hofstra used a 6-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 25-19 with 6:47 to play. After falling behind 15-11, the run in total would be 14-4 in favor of the Pride. Evans, who was whistled for three fouls in the opening twenty minutes, scored all four of her first half points during the run. The Terriers would rally to tie the game at 27 on a three-pointer from Jacinda Williams before Hofstra held St. Francis scoreless over the final 3:22 of the half, while scoring six points of their own to lead 33-27 at the break.

With Hofstra ahead 44-40 about six minutes into the second half, the Pride would use a 22-5 run to take control of the contest and lead 66-45 following a basket from Bellocchio with 8:39 to play. Bellocchio had four of her record-setting assists during the run to lead the way.

Brigham led Hofstra with 19 points, including 12-15 from the free throw line. The point total was one off her career-high of 20 set against Delaware in February of 2008. Sophomore guard Nicole Capurso added 16 points and a game-high seven rebounds for the Pride, which also got 11 points from Evans.

St. Francis was led by Tiara Dunson's 14 points.

Hofstra returns to action a week from today when they host Albany in a rare Wednesday matinee at 2 p.m. in the Mack Sports Complex. Tickets can be purchased on GoHofstra.com or by calling (516) HOF-TIXX.

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