Jenkins leads Hofstra over UNC Wilmington
Hofstra's Charles Jenkins against Wilmington's Ahmad Grant during UNC-Wilmington vs. Hofstra men's basketball. (Jan. 19, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
When in doubt, get the ball to No. 22.
Charles Jenkins scored nine of his 22 points in the final 4:32 as Hofstra overcame a late deficit in a 66-57 win over North Carolina Wilmington Wednesday night in a CAA men's game at the Mack Sports Complex.
Mike Moore had 18 points, including a three-point play with 2:28 left that gave Hofstra a 62-54 lead, and David Imes chipped in 14 points.
It was the fifth win in the last six games for Hofstra, which improved to 12-6 overall and 6-1 in the CAA. Chad Tomko had 18 points and Keith Rendleman had 17 for UNC Wilmington (9-9, 3-4).
Hofstra led 35-27 at the break and extended that advantage to 39-27 with 19:04 to go in the second half. But Tomko scored 10 points during a 23-6 run, including a three-pointer from the top of the key that put UNC Wilmington up 50-45 with 9:16 left.
That's when Jenkins got started.
The senior guard sliced through the lane on the ensuing possession and found Shemiye McLendon for a wide open three-pointer that cut the lead to 50-48 with 8:55 left.
Rendleman countered with a layup, but Moore and Imes came back with two-point baskets on consecutive possessions that tied the score at 52 with 5:06 left.
It was all Jenkins from that point as he scored the next seven points to give the Pride a 59-52 lead at the 3:14 mark.
"I had to take over," Jenkins said. "One of the things we talk about is protecting home court. We definitely didn't want to lose two games in a row."
Hofstra suffered its first CAA loss on Saturday to Old Dominion.
"That's what we need," Pride coach Mo Cassara said. "We're still a young team. We've got a lot of inexperienced guys out there . . . At the end of the game he's a terrific free-throw shooter and he's unstoppable going to the basket when he wants to."
Although the Hofstra offense was efficient enough with three double-figure scorers, Jenkins said Cassara has stressed defense ever since he took the reins.
Hofstra, which six blocked shots and eight steals in holding UNC Wilmington to 39 percent shooting, has held 10 of its opponents to fewer than 65 points.
"We definitely know defense wins games. That's something coach emphasizes in practice," Jenkins said. "We start practice with defensive drills."
