Aaron Estrada Scores 32 Points For Hofstra
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 2/10/2022 –
For the second time this season the Hofstra Pride defeated the Drexel Dragons, this time at the DAC by a score of 83 – 73. The Pride shot the ball well making 33 of 57 field goal attempts (57.9%) and sank 64.3% in the second half. Pride guard Aaron Estrada did most of the scoring getting 32 points making 14 of 21 attempts and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc in forty minutes of play. The 14 field goals marked a career-high. It was a matter of Hofstra running the offense efficiently.
“There are no nights off in this league,” said Drexel Coach Zach Spiker. “They were able to execute better than we did tonight. They’ve got a number of players who can score the basketball. Estrada did a lot of damage and Ray certainly helped out as well.”
Drexel made 44.6% of its shots (29 of 65) and drained 5 of 18 three-pointers. Forward Amari Williams led three players who scored in double figures with 19 points. On the way he set a collegiate-best with 8 baskets.
Guard Camryn Wynter scored 17 points and dished out 4 a team-leading 4 assists. He moves into 9th place in Drexel scoring history with 1,551 points. Forward Melik Martin added 14 points.
This game had a back and forth nature with teams matching baskets. At halftime the score was even at 36. The separation for the Pride came early in the second half. A Martin fast break dunk off a turnover brought the Dragons to within 42 – 40 just under two minutes into the second half. Then, Drexel went into an offensive lull scoring one basket over the next five minutes. The momentum turned toward Hofstra behind a 9 – 2 run.
“The separation was when it was tied then went to 51 – 44, that’s where it started to get loose a little bit,” Spiker said. “They were more efficient than we were on the offensive end. There was some contact that we could have played through a little more aggressively and forced opportunities to the foul line. We weren’t able to do that and execute.”
Eventually, the game returned to the offensive back and forth, but Drexel could not climb over the hill. Hofstra leading scorers Estrada and Jalen Ray asserted themselves as their lead grew to as many as 14 points. Estrada scored 17 of his points in the latter twenty minutes while Ray put in 12 of his 20 points.
The Pride came into the game ahead of the Dragons in the standings by a game and a half. With the win Hofstra moves into sole possession of third place in conference with an 8 – 4 record.
Drexel evens its ledger at 11 overall wins and 6 in the CAA as its two-game winning streak is snapped. On Saturday they host Northeastern, then go on a three game southern road trip to the College of Charleston, William & Mary, and Elon. The Dragons lead these teams in the conference standings.
“We’re a talented basketball team,” said Spiker assessing where his team stands at present. “When we are playing our best we can play and compete and beat anybody in this league. You can say that for nine other teams in this league, too. In this league if you have a bad half of basketball it’s a tough one to overcome. You can’t give up 57% shooting and expect to have success.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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