This time, the Dutchmen managed to turn the page to a happy ending in their house of horrors! (Unless there's a grisly sequel awaiting in D.C., but what are the odds of that?)
To paraphrase the classic Tweet that appears whenever an NHL playoff game goes into overtime: Why do whatever dangerous illegal drugs you want to do while riding a motorcycle out of a helicopter when all you have to do is watch mid-major basketball? The Flying Dutchmen, whose season appeared on the edge of disaster barely a month ago, locked up no worse than a top-three seed and a double bye in next week’s CAA Tournament by delivering an impressive finishing kick and beating UNC Wilmington 69-58 . The Dutchmen can clinch the no. 2 seed with either a win over regular season champ Charleston today or a Drexel loss to Northeastern later in the afternoon. Make sure to stop by later in the morning for the in-depth Quirky breakdown of the win over the Seahawks and a look ahead to the Cougars, but in the meantime, here’s the boilerplate postgame material (plus some bonus fabulous February content) in the postgame Keep It Perky!
THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH
Darlinstone Dubar (28 points, eight rebounds) had a monster game in his home state and sparked the decisive 16-1 second-half run for the Flying Dutchmen, who squandered a 13-point lead earlier in the half before delivering a forceful statement in the program’s House of Horrors (trademark pending). The Dutchmen never trailed in the first half, when they led by as many as nine but went scoreless in four possessions with a chance to expand the lead to double digits before carrying 32-25 lead into the locker room. Dubar scored four straight points to finally extend the lead to 43-30 with 16:18 left, but UNC Wilmington responded with a 14-0 run and took its first lead on Trazarien White’s jumper with 10:58 left. Jaquan Carlos then hit a jumper and Shykeim Phillips answered with a 3-pointer before Dubar began going into takeover mode and put the Dutchmen ahead for good at 48-47 with a 3-pointer. The teams traded turnovers and White missed a potential go-ahead jumper before Tyler Thomas sank a 3-pointer. Dubar then went on a 6-1 run before baskets by Jacco Fritz and Jaquan Carlos ended the game-turning surge and extended the Dutchmen’s lead to 61-48 with 5:13 left. The Seahawks, who were 0-for-4 with four turnovers during the run, never got within single digits the rest of the way. Dubar had 17 of his points in the second half while Carlos had another impressive all-around game with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Thomas had 13 points but added two blocks and a steal. Fritz had six points and eight rebounds while German Plotnikov added four points for the Dutchmen, who got all their points from their starters.
3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. UNC Wilmington, 2/29)
3: Darlinstone Dubar
2: Jaquan Carlos
1: Tyler Thomas
SEASON STANDINGS
Tyler Thomas 61
Darlinstone Dubar 53
Jaquan Carlos 32
Jacco Fritz 14
German Plotnikov 10
Bryce Washington 6
Silas Sunday 2
KiJan Robinson 2
WAS THIS A UNICORN SCORE?
No! Bummer, but while it was at least the fourth 69-58 win in program history, it was the first of this century. The Dutchmen previously earned a 69-58 victory when they vanquished Delaware on Feb. 25, 1989. I was a sophomore in high school!
The Dutchmen have recored seven unicorn score victories this season after recording 12 unicorn scores last season, 11 unicorn scores in 2021-22, no unicorn scores in 2020-21, 13 unicorn scores in 2019-20 and 10 unicorn scores in 2018-19. The term unicorn score was coined by Mets superfan, historian and blogger Greg Prince to describe a score by which the Mets had never previously won. You may also know it as a “Scorigami,” a term popularized in the NFL.
WHO HAD THE KEITH HERNANDEZ?
Darlinstone Dubar made it two in a row Thursday night, when he gave the Dutchmen the lead for good at 48-47 by sinking the go-ahead 3-pointer with 9:42 left. This is the third time this season Dubar has had the Keith Hernandez in consecutive victories for the Dutchmen.
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead layup vs. St. Joseph’s (NY), 11/6/23 (14:30 left 1H)
Jaquan Carlos tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Buffalo, 11/20/23 (19:33 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking free throw vs. Wright State, 11/21/23 (4:16 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking jumper vs. High Point, 11/22/23 (4:47 left OT)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. South Florida, 11/30/23 (19:42 left 1H)
Jacco Fritz tie-breaking jumper vs. Iona, 12/6/23 (12:37 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Norfolk State, 12/16/23 (13:45 left 2H)
Tyler Thomas go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Delaware, 1/6/24 (17:46 left 1H)
Bryce Washington go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Hampton, 1/18/24 (5:24 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead jumper vs. Stony Brook, 1/22/24 (6:52 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. William & Mary, 1/25/24 (19:47 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas go-ahead jumper vs. Stony Brook, 2/1/24 (:0.4 left 2H)
Jacco Fritz tie-breaking layup vs. Towson, 2/3/24 (2:16 left 2H)
Silas Sunday tie-breaking layup vs. Hampton, 2/8/24 (3:48 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. North Carolina A&T, 2/10/24 (17:16 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking layup vs. Northeastern, 2/17/24 (18:08 left 1H)
Tyler Thomas tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Drexel, 2/22/24 (9:43 left 2H)
Darlinstone Dubar tie-breaking layup vs. Not Twitter Guy, 2/24/24 (12:18 left 1H)
Darlinstone Dubar go-ahead 3-pointer vs. UNC Wilmington, 2/29/24 (9:42 left 1H)
SEASON STANDINGS
Darlinstone Dubar 8
Tyler Thomas 6
Jacco Fritz 2
Silas Sunday 1
Bryce Washington 1
Jaquan Carlos 1
ALL-TIME STANDINGS (or at least since last season)
Tyler Thomas 16
Darlinstone Dubar 13
Aaron Estrada 4
Warren Williams 3
Jacco Fritz 2
Jaquan Carlos 2
German Plotnikov 2
Silas Sunday 1
Bryce Washington 1
The Keith Hernandez is bestowed upon the player who scores the points that put the Dutchmen ahead for good in a victory. The stat pays homage to Hernandez, the World Series-winning Cardinals and Mets first baseman who had a record 129 game-winning RBIs when the stat was inexplicably discontinued after the 1988 season.
THE FLYING DUTCHMEN AFTER THIRTY GAMES
With Thursday’s win, the Dutchmen improved to 19-11. This ties the 2023-24 team for the 16th-best record in school history through 30 games. This is the first time the Dutchmen have opened 19-11 since 2017-18 and the fourth time overall in school history. The Dutchmen were also 14-10 after 24 games, 15-10 after 25 games, 15-11 after 26 games, 16-11 after 27 games, 17-11 after 28 games and 18-11 for the first time since 2017-18. That’s pretty quirky! Also quirky: Speedy Claxton has been a part of all four 19-11 teams, first as a player in 1997-98 and then as an assistant coach in 2014-15 and 2017-18. Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 30 games:
NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1975-76: 18-12 (season ended with an 80-78 loss to Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which left me as the most disappointed two-year-old toddler in the Nutmeg State, first NCAA Tournament as a D-I program, only 18-12 start in program history)
1976-77: 23-7 (season ended with a 90-83 loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, most recent 23-7 start)
1999-2000: 24-6 (America East champs! Win in 30th game was a 76-69 victory over Delaware at Hofstra Arena that clinched the Dutchmen’s first NCAA Tournament berth since *checks notes* 1977)
2000-01: 26-4 (America East champs again! Win in 30th game was a 68-54 victory over Delaware at Hofstra Arena that marked the final win in program-record, single-season 18-game winning streak and sent the Dutchmen to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, only 26-4 start in school history)
2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 22-8 (loss in 30th game snapped an eight-game winning streak and was the final loss of the season)
NIT TEAMS
1998-99: 22-8 (win over Vermont in America East quarterfinals was final win of season)
2004-05: 21-9 (season ended with 53-44 loss to Saint Joseph’s, only 21-9 start in school history)
2005-06: 24-6 (loss in 30th game came against UNC Wilmington in CAA championship game, but don’t worry, the Dutchmen will definitely get an at-large bid six days from now)
2006-07: 22-8 (won regular season finale, final win of season)
2015-16: 22-8 (won regular season finale to clinch no. 1 seed in the CAA Tournament)
2018-19: 24-6 (most recent 24-6 start, win in 30th game clinched tie for the CAA regular season title)
2022-23: 22-8 (most recent 22-8 start, win in 30th game marked 10th win of 12-game winning streak that continued into the CAA Tournament)
NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1962-63: 23-7 (season ended with 78-71 win over Mount St. Mary’s in an NCAA Tournament game)
The 1958-59 team, Hofstra’s first to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 27 games (20-7), while the 1961-62 team, Hofstra’s second to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 28 games (24-4) and the 1963-64 team completed its season in 29 games (23-6).
Some other notable 30-game records — in fact, all of them!
2017-18: 19-11 (won regular season finale for final win of season)
2016-17: 14-16 (only 14-16 start)
2014-15: 19-11
2013-14: 8-22 (only 8-22 start, Joe Mihalich’s first team)
2012-13: 7-23 (only 7-23 start, worst 30-game record in school history)
2011-12: 9-21 (only 9-21 start)
2010-11: 20-10 (won regular season finale)
2009-10: 17-13 (most recent 17-13 start, win in 30th game marked fifth win of seven-game winning streak)
2008-09: 20-10 (won regular season finale)
2007-08: 12-18 (season ended with 81-66 loss to Towson in a CAA Tournament outbracket game, only 12-18 start)
2001-02: 11-19 (only 11-19 start, 72-52 win over Towson in CAA Tournament first-round game ended Tom Pecora-era record-tying eight-game losing streak)
1997-98: 19-11 (win over Hartford in America East quarterfinal was final win of season)
1985-86: 17-13 (season ended with 80-76 loss to Drexel in ECC championship game)
Hofstra has never been 30-0, 29-1, 28-2, 27-3, 25-5, 16-14, 15-15, 13-17, 10-20, 6-24, 5-25, 4-26, 3-27, 2-28, 1-29 or 0-30 through 30 games.
Sixty seasons were completed in fewer than 30 games:
1936-37 (7-10)
1937-38 (10-4)
1938-39 (10-8)
1939-40 (12-9)
1940-41 (13-7)
1941-42 (15-6)
1942-43 (15-6)
1943-44 (7-12)
1944-45 (8-13)
1945-46 (12-7)
1946-47 (18-6)
1947-48 (13-6)
1948-49 (18-8)
1949-50 (17-9)
1950-51 (18-11)
1951-52 (26-3)
1952-53 (20-7)
1953-54 (15-9)
1954-55 (19-7)
1955-56 (22-4)
1956-57 (11-15)
1957-58 (15-8)
1958-59 (20-7)
1959-60 (23-1)
1960-61 (21-4)
1961-62 (24-4)
1963-64 (23-6)
1964-65 (11-14)
1965-66 (16-10)
1966-67 (12-13)
1967-68 (13-12)
1968-69 (12-13)
1969-70 (13-13)
1970-71 (18-8)
1971-72 (11-14)
1972-73 (8-16)
1973-74 (8-16)
1974-75 (11-13)
1977-78 (8-19)
1978-79 (8-19)
1979-80 (14-14)
1980-81 (12-15)
1981-82 (12-16)
1982-83 (18-9)
1983-84 (14-14)
1984-85 (14-15)
1986-87 (10-18)
1987-88 (6-21)
1988-89 (14-15)
1989-90 (13-15)
1990-91 (14-14)
1991-92 (20-9)
1992-93 (9-18)
1993-94 (9-20)
1994-95 (10-18)
1995-96 (9-18)
1996-97 (12-15)
2002-03 (8-21)
2003-04 (14-15)
2020-21 (13-10)
(Well) more than half the previous Hofstra seasons were completed by this point.
Full records not available for the following seasons: 1936-37, 1941-42, 1942-43.
This feature is inspired by Greg Prince, who measures how the current Mets compare, record-wise, to previous teams through the same point in the season.
NUMBER TEN THROUGH NINETY-SEVEN
With Thursday’s win, Speedy Claxton improved to 65-32 (.670) as head coach. That’s tied for the best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 97 games at the helm.
Paul Lynner 65-32 (.670, 97th game was the 13th game of his fourth season in 1965-66)
Butch van Breda Kolff I 65-32 (.670, 97th game was the 22nd game of his fourth season in 1958-59)
SPEEDY CLAXTON 65-32 (.670, 97th game was the 30th game of his third season in 2023-24)
Frank Reilly 64-33 (.660, 97th game was the 26th game of his fourth season in 1950-51)
Joe Mihalich 52-45 (.536, 97th game was the 30th game of his third season in 2015-16)
Dick Berg 49-48 (.505, 97th game was the 15th game of his fourth season in 1983-84)
Butch van Breda Kolff II 47-50 (.485, 97th game was the 12th game of his fourth season in 1991-92)
Roger Gaeckler 41-56 (.423, 97th game was the 25th game of his fourth season in 1975-76)
Tom Pecora 41-56 (.423, 97th game was the seventh game of his fourth season in 2004-05)
Jay Wright 40-57 (.412, 97th game was the 15th game of his fourth season in 1997-98)
Mo Cassara 38-59 (.392, 97th game was the 32nd and game of his third season in 2012-13 as well as Cassara’s final game as Hofstra’s head coach)
The top four remains the same for a fourth straight game as Paul Lynner, Butch van Breda Kolff I and Speedy Claxton all win their 97th games to stay tied for first and Frank Reilly wins his 97th game to remain a game behind. Dick Berg moves back over .500 and Mo Cassara’s tenure ends with a 62-57 loss to Delaware in the first round of the CAA Tournament on Mar. 9, 2013. Cassara was fired 13 days later.
The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenure of Jack Smith (1943-46). But not Frank Reilly (1947-55) anymore!
Smith finished 27-32 in his three seasons. Three coaches had one-season tenures lasting at Hofstra. McDonald went 18-6 in the lone season of his second stint in 1946-47 while Joe Harrington went 14-14 in 1979-80 and Mike Farrelly went 13-10 in 2020-21.
FABULOUS FEBRUARY
And one more bonus bit of content before turning our focus over to Charleston, with a big assist from Hofstra SID Stephen Gorchov, who notes the win on Thursday night improved the Dutchmen to a mind-boggling 24-3 in February under Speedy Claxton.
That’s a tidy .889 winning percentage — the third-best winning percentage in regular season games played after Feb. 1 over the last three seasons. Just nine Division I teams have lost four games or fewer after Feb. 1 since 2021-22, including four familiar names and/or recent opponents!
Colgate 24-2 (.923)
Vermont 23-2 (.920)
HOFSTRA 24-3 (.889)
Gonzaga 22-3 (.880)
Merrimack 21-3 (.875)
South Dakota State 20-3 (.870)
VCU 21-4 (.840)
Saint Mary’s 20-4 (.833)
Princeton 18-4 (.818)
Pretty good company…and some pretty good times for the Flying Dutchmen.
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