Hofstra Women’s Basketball Falls to Lehigh: Game Recap and Highlights
Hofstra women’s basketball team lost to Lehigh, 80-61, at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This defeat brings Hofstra’s record to 2-3, while Lehigh improves to 4-1.
Emma Von Essen led Hofstra with a season-high 17 points, making four three-pointers. Chloe Sterling also contributed with 10 points. Zyheima Swint had 12 rebounds, four points, and two blocks. Sabrina Larsson added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.
Lehigh started strong, gaining a five-point lead in the first quarter. Hofstra responded with a layup from Sterling, ending the first quarter at 15-8 in favor of Lehigh. In the second quarter, Von Essen hit back-to-back threes, bringing Hofstra within three points. However, Lehigh regained control and led 36-29 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Lehigh outscore Hofstra 21-9, establishing a double-digit lead. Hofstra attempted to rally with threes from Fargo and Von Essen, but could not close the gap.
Maddie Albrecht led all scorers with 19 points for Lehigh. Lily Fandre and Meghan O’Brien each secured six rebounds.
What strategies will Coach Gallo implement to improve the team’s defensive consistency following the loss to Lehigh?
Interview with Coach Melissa Gallo on Hofstra Women’s Basketball Loss to Lehigh
Hofstra women’s basketball team faced a challenging defeat against Lehigh, losing 80-61. We spoke with head coach Melissa Gallo to get her insights on the game and the road ahead for the team.
Q: Coach Gallo, after a tough loss against Lehigh, what are your initial thoughts on the performance of your team?
Coach Gallo: It was definitely a tough outing for us. We showed some flashes of what we can do, especially in the second quarter when we closed the gap. Emma Von Essen had an outstanding game, and I’m proud of her for stepping up. However, we need to be more consistent and tighten our defense, especially after halftime when Lehigh really took control.
Q: Emma Von Essen stood out with a season-high 17 points, including four three-pointers. How crucial is her performance to the team’s overall strategy?
Coach Gallo: Emma is a vital part of our offense. Her ability to hit those three-pointers opens up the floor for us and creates opportunities for others. It’s great to see her finding her rhythm, but we need other players to step up and contribute as well. Chloe Sterling and Zyheima Swint had solid contributions, and I hope to see more of that depth as the season progresses.
Q: Despite the loss, Hofstra outrebounded Lehigh 41-38. How important is this aspect of your game moving forward?
Coach Gallo: Rebounding is crucial, and I’m glad to see that we controlled the boards. That’s a fundamental aspect we focus on in practice. However, we need to translate that into points, especially in transition. If we can continue to dominate on the boards but also convert those opportunities into scoring, we’ll be far more effective as a team.
Q: Looking ahead, Hofstra will face Jacksonville next. What will be your focus in practice leading up to that game?
Coach Gallo: Our focus will be on improving our defensive rotations and making smarter plays offensively. We need to learn from our mistakes in the Lehigh game and come out with a more aggressive mindset. Jacksonville will be another tough opponent, and we have to be ready to execute our game plan effectively.
Q: Von Essen is now eighth in Hofstra history for career three-pointers. What does her achievement mean for the program?
Coach Gallo: It’s a significant milestone for her and for our program. Emma is a hard worker and a great leader on and off the court. Her achievements help to elevate our program’s profile and inspire our younger players. We hope to keep building on these individual successes to lead to team victories.
Thank you, Coach Gallo, for your insights. We wish you and the team the best of luck against Jacksonville and throughout the season.
Next, Hofstra will play against Jacksonville on November 30 at 2 PM.
Notes:
– Hofstra outrebounded Lehigh 41-38.
– Hofstra shot 33.3%, while Lehigh shot 44%.
– Von Essen now has 146 career three-pointers, placing her eighth in Hofstra history.
– Zyheima Swint has 99 career blocks, ranking eighth in Hofstra history, just one away from 100.
– Hofstra now holds a 10-14 record against Lehigh.