HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Backed by sophomore Mide Oriyomi's 16-point performance on Saturday, the Northeastern women's basketball team dueled Hofstra, grinding out the 54-53 win at the David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex.
 
Overcoming tough shooting, Oriyomi led the Huskies in scoring for the fourth consecutive game, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to go along with her 6-for-8 day at the free throw line. The NU forward added five rebounds and two steals to her game tally despite fouling out during the final minutes.
 
Mossi Staples charted a season high, 13 points, off the bench for Northeastern (1-5, 1-3 CAA), which completed the split of its two-game weekend set against Hofstra (4-6, 2-2 CAA).
 
NU point guard Stella Clark registered 12 points and five rebounds across 40 minutes of action while Ayanna Dublin tracked down the team high, eight rebounds, adding four points and three assists. Freshman guard Maddie Vizza finished with six points off two 3-pointers, helping the Huskies drain eight perimeter buckets – including four during the fourth quarter to keep the Pride at bay.
 
Northeastern broke through the game's early turnover web to fight for the 13-5 lead yet missed a chance to widen its advantage. Responsible for 13 first half giveaways, the Huskies were limited to Staples's three-point conversion as their only scoring for close to eight minutes of the second quarter – yet received a timely 3-pointer from the sophomore to break the game's tie, 21-18, before the half.
 
Dublin knocked down a shallow jumper from the left baseline to put the Huskies ahead, 30-25, midway through the third quarter, but Hofstra soon responded with a 10-2 run.
 
Trailing by a point at the quarter break, Northeastern received four 3-pointers from Staples, Oriyomi, Clark and Vizza to build the 48-42 lead with 5:44 remaining in regulation. Hofstra made a bid at undoing the Huskies' six-point lead inside two minutes remaining, but NU shut down the Pride on its final possession to clinch the one-point victory.
 
Jaylen Hines double-doubled to lead Hofstra, pairing 19 points with 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jaala Henry recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal while JaKayla Brown provided eight points on offense.

SCHEDULE NOTE
Northeastern's upcoming CAA home games against College of Charleston – as scheduled for Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 at Cabot Center – were postponed by the conference on Friday due to COVID-19 protocols within the Charleston program.
 
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