Hofstra beats George Washington behind Aaron Estrada's 33 points
Hofstra Pride guard Aaron Estrada works on George Washington Colonials guard Brendan Adams during the first half at the Mack Sports Complex on Monday. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
The college basketball season tipped off last week with expectations for Hofstra. This is a team that features the returning CAA Player of the Year/Preseason CAA Player of the Year in Aaron Estrada along with 6-8 Darlinstone Dubar and some nice fits through the transfer portal.
The Pride were picked for second in the conference, and they pulled out victories in their first two non-conference games, by six at Princeton and by five over Iona.
But they were having a whole lot of trouble shaking George Washington on Monday night at Mack Sports Complex.
Hofstra led by 11 at halftime before turning over its advantage, making for a sweaty finish. But the Pride did some nice work toward the end and emerged with an 85-80 win.
Estrada scored 33 points, Dubar hit a key three-pointer and Hofstra survived a 44-point outburst by James Bishop IV.
It is the Pride’s first 3-0 start in five years.
“I was worried about having a little letdown from an emotional game the other night, but to these kids’ credit, they didn’t,” coach Speedy Claxton said. “Give GW credit. That’s a really good team. Bishop is a very, very good scorer.
“But I’m happy about the way the game turned out. We made some big shots and winning plays down the stretch that led us to victory.”
After the Colonials (2-1) took a 71-70 lead on a three-pointer by Bishop, Dubar’s layup put Hofstra ahead. Tyler Thomas, a transfer from Sacred Heart who had 17 points, gave the Pride a 74-71 lead with 4:36 remaining.
After a turnover by GW, Estrada nailed a jumper for a five-point lead. After another turnover by GW, Amar’e Marshall hit a three-pointer to make it 79-71 with 3:36 left.
Bishop made three free throws and Hunter Dean dunked to bring GW within 79-76. Dubar (13 points) then hit a three-pointer from the top of the key — the last of Hofstra’s 14 baskets from beyond the arc — with 1:03 left to make it a six-point game.
“It’s going to be somebody different every night,” Claxton said. “All these guys are capable, as you see, of making big shots. That’s what it’s going to take because they’re going to key in on Aaron.”
Estrada still put on a shooting show, going 12-for-18, including 6-for-10 on threes. The redshirt senior guard shot 9-for-11 in the first half on his way to 23 points.
“I’m not really worried about my stats, my points,” he said. “I’m really just trying to win.”
