Women’s basketball finished atop the CAA following Hofstra’s win

HEMPSTEAD, NY North Carolina A&T women’s basketball remained undefeated in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) by staying short on the defensive end.

The Aggies won their fifth straight game to improve to 10-5 overall and 4-0 in the CAA. The Pride (7-8, 1-3 CAA) lost for the third time in four games. A&T is one of two undefeated CAA teams at 4-0 after losses to Stony Brook and Hampton on Sunday.

A&T held Hofstra to 36.7 percent shooting in a 63-44 win over the Pride at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Sunday afternoon. CAA opponents have yet to shoot 40 percent or better against the Aggies this season.

“I am proud of our team that completed the tri-nation game with a dominating performance against a well-prepared Hofstra team,” said the A&T head coach. Tarrell Robinson. “Our defense was very impressive today. We look forward to hosting the next three games at the Corbett Sports Center.”

D’Mya Tucker He had 12 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and four steals on 5-for-6 shooting for his third double-double of the season.

Jazmin Harris recorded a game-high 16 points and added six rebounds, two blocks and two assists on 7-of-16 shooting. He failed to reach a double-double for the first time in four games.

The Pride challenged the Aggies in the first half. Janaia Fargo’s floater at the buzzer sent Hofstra into the locker room down just six, 29-23. Hofstra’s Emma Von Essen made a three to open the second half and cut the lead to 29-26.

Tucker responded with a shot to start an 11-0 run. The run ended with five points by Bracone and four by Harris to push A&T’s lead to 40-26 with 4:01 left in the third quarter. A&T’s double-digit lead remained throughout the third as they entered the fourth quarter leading 46-32.

A&T remained dominant in the final stanza. The 7-0 round started a Maleia Bracone A three-pointer and finished with two free throws from the sophomore Jordyn Dorsey gave the Aggies their biggest lead of the game, 23, 61-38 with 2:51 left.

CAA opponents are averaging just 51.0 points per game against A&T, as the Aggies lead the conference in scoring defense when counting only conference games.

Zyheima Swint and Brandy Thomas gave Hofstra a 4-0 lead early in the game before A&T scored 11 straight points with five different Aggies scoring. Alarice Gooden hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 11-7 before A&T scored the final three points of the quarter to take its second lead at 14-7.

A&T opened the second quarter with two field goals to take its biggest lead of the first half at 18-7, but the Pride fought back with a 12-3 run that culminated in a layup by Brandy Thomas that cut the Aggies’ lead to 21-19. 3:56 left in the first half. However, A&T responded by outscoring the Pride 8-2 over the next 3 1/2 minutes before Fargo pulled away.

Von Essen led the Pride with nine points. Bracone added 15 points, three assists and went 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from three.