Moore, Jenkins help Hofstra beat Holy Cross

Most conversations regarding Hofstra basketball don't last five seconds without Charles Jenkins' name being mentioned.

Jenkins, who's fourth in the nation in scoring, had been the Pride's leading scorer for the last 17 games, including the first 10 this season.

That wasn't the case last night.

The senior guard didn't lead Hofstra in scoring, but played the role of defender and distributor and the Pride road that all-around performance to a 71-56 non-conference victory over Holy Cross at the Mack Sports Complex.

Under normal circumstances, not seeing Jenkins, who eclipsed the 2,000-point plateau in a win over Manhattan last Saturday, light up the scoreboard would be a scary proposition.

It wasn't a problem last night, because his teammates picked up the slack in a big way.

Jenkins shot 4-for-7 from the field and finished with just 13 points, but contributed six rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

Mike Moore scored 15 points and David Imes chipped in 10 points and five rebounds for Hofstra (7-4), which has won six of its last seven.

Andrew Keister led Holy Cross (1-9) with 12 points.

"I think that's good for our overall development," Hofstra coach Mo Cassara said of the balanced scoring. "[But] we have to a better job in some stretches of getting Charles some looks . . . If we get him enough looks he's going to get a lot of points."

Hofstra led 34-22 at the half, despite getting just five points from Jenkins.

"I think we're progressing great," Jenkins said. "We have guys that are capable of scoring just as many points as I am. Teams that continue to key on me and try and double team me are just going open it up for other guys on the court."

Holy Cross chipped away and cut the deficit to 43-38 with 12:56 go. But Moore, who was the chief benefactor of Jenkins' generosity, drained three three-pointers during a 21-7 run that put Hofstra up 64-45 with 6:41 left.

"Every day Charles texts me, coach texts me and they just tell me to remain confident," Moore said. "I had a little shooting slump at the beginning of the season, but it's coming along now."

For Moore, it's been a coming-out party the last few games. "I think I fell into my role the last couple of games," said the junior forward, who had a season-high 20 against Manhattan. "Before I was trying to pick my spots."

Jenkins didn't take his first shot until the 7:35 mark of the first half, but was the main facilitator for the offense.

Women win again. Shante Evans had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Nicole Capurso chipped in 11 as Hofstra topped Hartford, 65-51, at the Mack Sports Complex earlier in the day for its eighth straight victory, its longest streak since winning 10 in 2006-2007.

It wasn't the prettiest for the Pride (8-1), which committed 28 turnovers.

"I let my players play through this today," Hofstra coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey said. "I have a handy-dandy play sheet in my pocket. But for us to be good down the line, we've got to be able to handle some of this adversity."