Wright-Foreman Leads Pride Past Delaware

It took all of Justin Wright-Foreman’s record-breaking 42 points but the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball team is headed to the CAA Championship after defeating the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 78-74 in overtime. The Senior guard broke the CAA tournament record of 37 set by William & Mary’s Marcus Thornton in 2015 and matched by the Tribe’s Jordon Talley in last year.

The one seed Pride came into this game off of a 76-67 victory over JMU while fifth-seeded Delaware had just upset William and Mary 85-79.

Delaware started off the game strong and had the lead much of the early portion of the first half. However, the Pride came alive led by Wright-Foreman and Junior guard Tariq Coburn, closing the half on a 23-9 run to go into the break with a 13 point lead.

That’s exactly where the Hens wanted them as they stormed back early, tying the game with just under 10 to play and taking the lead the next possession. They had trailed William and Mary by 14 at halftime just a night earlier. The two teams traded the lead for the rest of the half and Hofstra Sophomore Jalen Ray missed a game-winning jumper with time expiring.

Ray would get his revenge, however in overtime. With the Pride up two and under 15 seconds to play, Ray forced Sophomore Kevin Anderson to step out of bounds while driving the baseline, making it Hofstra ball with nine to play. Ray was then intentionally fouled and nailed both free throws, his third and fourth points of the extra period, to put the Pride up four, 78-74.

Outside of Justin Wright-Foreman, only four other Hofstra players scored a point with just two in double figures, Coburn, who had just two points after the first half, and Eli Pemberton, who had four in overtime. CAA All-Defensive team member Jacquil Taylor had four blocks for the Pride and Desure Buie had four rebounds and four assists but went 0-4 from the field with no points.

Four Delaware players scored in double digits, Ithiel Horton, Kevin Anderson, Ryan Allen and Eric Carter but the other four players who saw action combined for just ten points. They also only managed ten points off of 13 Hofstra turnovers and gave up 18 points on their own giveaways.

Hofstra will face Northeastern Tuesday in the tournament final at 7 o’clock. The Pride will need a complete team effort as they look for their first ever CAA Championship and first NCAA Tournament birth since 2001.