Hofstra's season was in a downward spiral with five straight losses and nine of 11 dating back to mid-December, but the pride reversed that trend in a big way tonight with a 93-54 victory over North Carolina-Wilmington at the Mack Sports Complex. It marked the first time Hofstra broke the 90-point barrier this season, and the lead reached as high as 42 points in the second half.

Charles Jenkins led five double-figures scorers with 24 points, and the Pride also got 15 from Cornelius Vines, 14 points apiece from Greg Washington and Halil Kanacevic and 11 from point guard Chaz Williams. Washington was huge at both ends with eight rebounds and a career-high 10 blocked shots, and Kanacevic had eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Hofstra shot 56.7 percent from the field, including six of nine from three-point range. On the defensive end, it held the Seahawks to 33.3 percent from the field, including three of 17 from three-point range. Johnny Wolf led Wilmington with 14 points, but leading scorer Chad Tomko went scoreless.

After the game, Pecora said he took away the team's practice gear recently and wouldn't let his players wear anything that said "Hofstra" on it. They lost another game Saturday at Drexel, and he again refused to let them wear school practice gear, forcing them to continue practicing in their own stuff that was going unwashed. So, the Pride's win over Wilmington comes not only as welcome relief for the soul but for their senses as well.

Thinking of the freshly laundered yellow and blue practice gear his players will don on Thursday, Pecora smiled and said, "Practice won't stink tomorrow."

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