Aaron Estrada steps up again as Hofstra defeats Drexel
Hofstra guard Aaron Estrada (4) drives on Drexel guard Xavier Bell (4) during the second half on Jan. 17, 2022. Credit: Lee S. Weissman/Lee S. Weissman
When Zach Cooks went down with an ankle injury last month, it was clear that the Hofstra basketball team would need to close ranks to compensate for a handful of games without its leading scorer. To which Aaron Estrada said, sign me up.
Estrada, a junior transfer who has averaged 25 points in the four games since Cooks got hurt, again stepped up Monday. He made two key baskets in the final minutes as the Pride beat Drexel, 71-68, in a CAA game at the Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex.
The 6-3 guard had 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Jalen Ray added 18 points.
"He’s a three-level scorer, and when you have a three-level scorer, it’s kind of dangerous because you can’t really stop them," coach Speedy Claxton said of Estrada. "He can hit the three, he can hit the pull-up and he’s shifty enough around the basket. His finishes are strong."
Drexel (7-7, 2-1) is the reigning CAA champion and was ranked third in the preseason poll, so the Pride now have defeated the preseason No. 1 (Delaware) and No. 3 teams in back-to-back games. They will take on No. 2 Northeastern on Saturday in a game that could herald Cooks’ return.
With Hofstra (11-7, 3-2) down by one, Estrada hit a driving layup with 1:26 to go. Drexel responded with Xavier Bell’s layup, but Estrada again was there when the Pride needed him. His pull-up jumper with 48 seconds left gave Hofstra a 67-66 lead it did not relinquish.
Darlinstone Dubar hit two free throws to give Hofstra a three-point lead, and though Drexel’s Camren Wynter hit a layup with eight seconds left, he didn’t get the foul call he was hoping for. Estrada hit two free throws and Wynter’s potential tying three-pointer rimmed out as time expired.
It was a fitting end to a defensive battle in which the Pride switched to a zone defense to keep up with Drexel. The game had 23 lead changes, and neither team led by more than seven.
"We can win in a variety of ways," Claxton said. "I think our midrange game kind of won for us today. [Estrada] hit a couple midrange shots. Jalen Ray hit a couple midrange shots. That’s something that we work on. With the way their defense was playing, that’s the shot they’re going to give up, and we have players who can make that shot."
Estrada credited his coach for putting him in a situation in which he could succeed, and more time in the gym now that classes are on hold for winter break.
"This is a good time for all college players to work on their game," he said. "I feel like without me having to really worry about school right now, I’m able to work on my game a lot more, and just working on my game builds a lot of confidence."
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
