Hofstra University Athletics

HOFSTRA FACES KEY TEST AGAINST FIRST-PLACE NORTHEASTERN THIS AFTERNOON

2/6/2010 2:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Men's Basketball team will put its three-game win streak to the test when it hosts first-place Northeastern this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Mack Sports Complex in an Alumni Day game presented by North Shore/LIJ.

Hofstra (12-12, 5-7 Colonial Athletic Association) has won its last three games by an average margin of 23 points, but faces a tougher challenge as Northeastern (15-8, 10-2 CAA) visits Hempstead. The Huskies have won 13 of their last 14 games and are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the CAA with Old Dominion and George Mason, although Northeastern has beaten both teams head-to-head and would have the tiebreaker if the season ended today.

The Pride has picked up its level of play in the last two weeks, after dropping five straight games in January, its longest losing skid since 2002-03. Hofstra walloped UNC Wilmington on Jan. 27 by a 93-54 score, then defeated Delaware on Saturday 77-67 and James Madison on the road on Wednesday 68-48.

Junior guard Charles Jenkins (Queens, NY) has picked up his play over the Pride's three-game win streak, averaging 23.7 points on 22-34 shooting (64.7 percent) and earning the CAA Co-Player of the Week Award on Monday. Junior forward Greg Washington (Centereach, NY) will also try to set the school's career blocked shot record as he currently has 174 in his career, four shy of the standard of 178 set by David Taylor (1979-83). Washington also has 63 blocks this winter, five shy of his own single-season record set last year.

Northeastern is a veteran team with four seniors and a junior among its top five scorers. The Huskies started the year slowly at 2-7 against a difficult non-conference schedule, but they have won 13 of their 14 games and are 10-2 in league play (with both losses coming to Drexel). The backcourt of senior guard Matt Janning (15.0 ppg) and junior guard Chaisson Allen (14.1 ppg) leads the way offensively, while senior forwards Manny Adako (10.0 ppg) and Nkem Ojougboh (9.9 ppg) provide inside scoring. The Huskies like to control tempo and grind out wins, outscoring opponents 65-60 on average.

Last year, Hofstra handed Northeastern its first CAA loss at the Mack Sports Complex, edging the Huskies 57-52 behind a strong second half from Jenkins, who finished with 23 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 45 seconds left. Northeastern won the first meeting in Boston 73-50 as Jenkins was held to a career-low three points. Northeastern's guards struggled against Hofstra, though, as Janning was a combined 7-23 shooting in the two games, while Allen was only 5-20.

The first 1,000 fans will receive a set of complimentary Hofstra Men's Basketball trading cards. There will also be a pregame ceremony to honor the Hofstra cheerleading team, which finished in first place in the small co-ed division at the nationals in January.

For tickets call (516) HOF-TIXX or online by clicking here
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