Jenkins passes 2,500 points in Pride loss
FILE - Hofstra's Charles Jenkins celebrates after hitting the game-winning three pointer at the buzzer of overtime to defeat William & Mary. (Feb. 15, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
It was the end of an era Tuesday night for Hofstra basketball.
Senior guard Charles Jenkins played his customary role as leading scorer with 16 points, but host Evansville defeated the Pride, 77-70, in a first-round College Basketball Invitational game.
Hofstra's all-time leading scorer finished his collegiate career with 2,515 points. He's the 63rd player in Division I history to surpass 2,500.
"A lot of the credit goes to Evansville,'' coach Mo Cassara said. "Their kids played really hard and their coaches had a great game plan. Every time we thought we had a little bit of a run, they made a tough shot.''
Jenkins, a Queens native, wasn't the only Hofstra senior to bid adieu. Greg Washington put forth a solid effort with 12 points, Brad Kelleher had nine and junior guard Mike Moore 14 for the Pride.
"They had a good game plan on Charles,'' Cassara said, "where they fronted him and tried to deny him the ball in his spots. Then they brought a lot of help on his drives. Other guys did a good job stepping up when Charles found them open, we just didn't get the stops we needed.''
Some thought Hofstra (21-12) deserved to be in the NIT. But with 14 of the 32 teams in the NIT field getting automatic bids, it left little room for error.
Hofstra led 49-43 midway through the second half, but Evansville (16-15) answered with a 24-13 run, taking a 67-62 lead on a three-pointer by Kavon Lacey with 4:24 left.
"It's a tough ending for some great seniors, and for a great season for the team, but that's basketball,'' Cassara said. "For the younger guys, they just have to put it in their back pocket and maybe grow from this experience.''
