CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Aaron Estrada scored 25 points and Darlinstone Dubar added 18 as Hofstra ended No. 18 College of Charleston’s 20-game win streak with an 85-81 victory on Saturday.
The Pride (15-8, 8-2 Colonial Athletic Association) were down 28-20 early before rallying past the Cougars (21-2, 9-1), who had not lost since falling to then-No. 1 North Carolina on Nov. 11.
Hofstra, the CAA’s leader in field-goal shooting, used that to move past Charleston in the second half as it made 18 of 32 attempts. The Pride led 76-69 with 6:10 to play before the Cougars cut it to two points on Ryan Larson’s foul shots with 2:02 to play.
But Charleston managed just two free throws after that and missed all four 3-pointers they tried.
Estrada, who had 23 points in the first half, finished with five of Hofstra’s 11 threes.
The Cougars got off to a quick start, scoring on their first three possessions of the game.
Reyne Smith’s layup gave Charleston its biggest lead of the first half 28-20 with 7:02 to play before intermission.
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Then it became the Estrada show. Estrada, the CAA’s leading scorer at 21.1 points a game, scored 16 of the next 24 points for the Pride, including four 3s.
Tyler Thomas had 17 points and eight rebounds for Hofstra.
Ante Brzovic finished with 18 points to lead Charleston.
BIG PICTURE
Hofstra: The Pride are on a roll in 2023. winning seven of their past eight games, including three in a row.
College of Charleston: The Cougars chances of receiving an NCAA Tournament at-large bid took a major blow with the loss to the Pride. Despite having the nation’s longest win streak for three months, Charleston will most likely have to win the CAA Tournament in March to advance to the NCAAs.
UP NEXT
Hofstra returns home to play Towson on Thursday night.
College of Charleston starts a two-game road trip at Drexel on Thursday night.
