Local hoops: Week in review

The season continues to bring mixed results for the local teams. Stony Brook went 1-1, but took a lot of positives from both games. St. John’s played its last two games without head coach Steve Lavin, while Hofstra is looking to rebound from a busy 1-3 week. LIU was idle last week, but takes on Iona in a big local matchup on Monday night.

The Hofstra women continue to impress the country as the team picked up wins against Kansas State and Drake. The Pride host Seton Hall in an important non-conference matchup on Thursday. Stony Brook picked up its first win, while St. John's got a nice win against Temple after falling short against Iowa the day before.

Any questions Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell had about his team after disappointing losses to Indiana and Sacred Heart were laid to rest last week. The Seawolves (2-3) split two games last week, dropping Columbia, 67-53, and coming up just short to Northwestern, 63-58. Sure, the loss to Northwestern was a bit disappointing considering how close the Seawolves were, but Pikiell’s crew put forth a strong defensive effort. Stony Brook outrebounded Northwestern, 41-29. Stony Brook beat a bigger Columbia team on the boards, too, 38-27, and held the Lions to 40 percent shooting. The offense is a different story as Stony Brook, which shot just 36 percent over its last two games, still needs to find a go-to guy. For now, Pikiell will live with his defense leading the way. Schedule for the week: @ Eastern Illinois, Saturday, Dec. 3, 3:00 p.m.

It was a rough week for Hofstra (3-4), which went 1-3 last week. But close losses to FAU (62-60), Rhode Island (85-73) and Boston University (68-61) proves that Hofstra won’t be altering anytime soon. One positive to take from last week was Mike Moore. The swing guard averaged 19.1 points per game, including 27 against Boston University. He’s also averaged 7.3 rebounds per game during that stretch. Senior swing man Nathaniel Lester struggled with just our points against BU, but has scored in double figures in five of Hofstra’s seven games, including 22 points and seven rebounds against Rhode Island. Schedule for the week: vs. James Madison, Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:00 p.m.

It was an up-and-down week for St. John’s (4-3), which took care of St. Francis (NY) with no problems, but struggled defensively in a 78-64 loss to Northeastern. In both games the Red Storm were without coach Steve Lavin, who continues to coach on a modified schedule following prostate cancer surgery in October. The loss to Northeastern exposed the Red Storm’s shaky perimeter defense, but it might have gotten God’sgift Achiuwa back on track. The junior forward had 17 points and nine rebounds against the Huskies. He had scored just nine points combined in his previous three games. Schedule for week: @ Kentucky, Thursday, December 1, 7:30.

WOMEN

Hofstra (4-1) is starting to earn some national attention. After a successful stint in Cancun, which was highlighted by a 64-54 win over Kansas State and a 70-60 triumph over Drake, the Pride are on a nice run. They have been getting scoring from several places in the lineup. Shante Evans had a combined 34 points and 17 rebounds in the two wins. Nicole Capurso, Kate Loper, Andreana Thomas and Anma Onyeuku also scored in double figures in at least one of the two games. Schedule for the week: vs. Seton Hall, Thursday, Dec. 1, 7:00 p.m.; @ Georgia State, Sunday, Dec. 4 2:00 p.m.

St. John’s (3-3) recovered from a rough start and went 2-1 last week. The Red Storm’s 59-53 win over Temple at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas was a step in the right direction. North Babylon graduate Eugeneia McPherson had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists in the win and has become more a leader on the court. Nadirah McKenith also had 13 points and four assists and has really picked up her scoring in Da’Shena Stevens’ absence. Once Shenneika Smith finds her stroke, the Red Storm will roll. Schedule for the week: vs. Howard, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m.; vs. Hartford, Sunday, Dec. 4, 1:00 p.m.

It was a rough week for Stony Brook (1-4), which went 1-3 last week, which included an 84-37 loss at No.18 Ohio State. The Seawolves could’ve evened their record if they didn’t blow a double-digit lead in a tough 54-50 loss to George Mason last Monday. But the Seawolves did pick up their first win of the season against a previously undefeated Robert Morris squad. Dani Klupenger had 13 points against Robert Morris and 16 in the loss to George Mason. Schedule for the week: @ Sacred Heart, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m.