Keep It Perky: Hampton

All rise, Speedy Claxton is at 99 career wins.

IT HAS HAPPENED! For the first time since Dec. 7, the Dutchmen followed a loss with a win Thursday night, when they led nearly wire-to-wire in a 79-43 victory over Hampton. That’ll hurt our standing at the KenPom-esque site measuring the most manic teams in the country, but we’ll take it.

As will hopefully remain the case for the rest of the season however long it lasts, here’s the Keep It Perky featuring the usual postgame boilerplate material. The individual news and notes from the win over the Pirates and a preview of Northeastern will be posted in the AM. Enjoy!

THE MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARIZED IN ONE PARAGRAPH

Cruz Davis (20 points, five assists, four rebounds and a career-high four steals) continued solidifying his case for CAA Player of the Year and Biggie Patterson (12 points, 11 rebounds) posted the super-cool birthday double-double off the bench as the Dutchmen began the home stretch with a decisive win. Both teams seemed rusty for the 8 PM start as they combined to shoot 3-of-12 with four turnovers before (spoiler alert) Joshua DeCady’s HISTORIC go-ahead 3-pointer sparked a 27-8 run that gave the Dutchmen a 29-12 lead. Davis and Patterson had seven points apiece during the surge, a stretch in which the Dutchmen shot a robust 12-of-18 while limiting the Pirates to 3-of-15 shooting. Hampton closed the deficit to 10 points twice before Preston Edmead’s 3-pointer just before the buzzer extended the Dutchmen’s lead to 37-24. Hampton began the second half on a 7-2 run, but the Dutchmen responded to Speedy Claxton’s timeout with 16:33 left by scoring on eight of their next 11 possessions, aa span in which they outscored the Pirates 18-10. German Plotnikov’s layup with 9:09 left put the Dutchmen ahead by 20 points for good at 57-36 and they pushed the lead over 30 points with a game-ending 8-0 run. Silas Sunday had another solid game with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go along with six rebounds, one block and one assist. Edmead (nine points, nine assists) flirted with a double-double while Plotnikov had nine points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. DeCady added seven points, three rebounds and one block. The win was the 99th for head coach Speedy Claxton.

3 STARS OF THE GAME (vs. Hampton, 2/19)

3: Cruz Davis

2: Biggie Patterson

1: Silas Sunday

SEASON STANDINGS

Cruz Davis 63

Preston Edmead 44

Biggie Patterson 20

Silas Sunday 9

German Plotnikov 9

Joshua DeCady 8

Victory Onuetu 6

Joshua Aaron Reaves 3

Jaeden Roberts 3

A.J. Wills 2

Alex Tsynkevich 1

WAS THIS A UNICORN SCORE?

YES! The Dutchmen snapped their streak of unicorn score wins over Towson and Towson only, though the Dutchmen somewhat surprisingly came within a point of a 79-43 win three earlier times. They beat Queens 79-44 way back during the 1946-47 season — one more free throw by Hampton would have made this the second-oldest repeat score ever! — defeating Roanoke 80-43 during the 1955-56 season and knocking off New Hampshire 79-42 on Feb. 20, 1998. Wow! One day shy of 28 years ago Thursday! 

This is the Dutchmen’s fifth unicorn score victory of the season.

12/10/25: 92-23 over Old Westbury

12/21/25: 74-66 over Quinnipiac

1/8/26: 78-67 over Towson

2/7/26: 71-49 over Towson

2/19/26: 79-43 over Hampton

This is also the Dutchmen’s 65th unicorn score victory since the start of the 2018-19 season, when we first started tracking unicorn scores. Can we get to a six-seventh unicorn score victory this season?

2025-26: Five unicorn scores

2024-25: Seven unicorn scores

2023-24: Seven unicorn scores

2022-23: 12 unicorn scores

2021-22: 11 unicorn scores

2020-21: Zero unicorn scores (really)

2019-20: 13 unicorn scores

2018-19: 10 unicorn scores

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?

HISTORY! Joshua DeCady collected his first Keith Hernandez by hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer that gave the Dutchmen the lead for good at 5-4 with 15:29 left in the first half. DeCady’s first Keith Hernandez came in his 51st game at Hofstra, by far the deepest into a career a player has recorded his first Keith Hernandez (or at least since the 2022-23 season). He is the 18th player to record a Keith Hernandez but only the third Hofstra player in the Keith Hernandez Era to record his first Keith Hernandez in his second season with the team, following in the footsteps of Bryce Washington and KiJan Robinson. Unrelated but imagine Keith Hernandez Googling himself, finding this site and wondering what the hell a Keith Hernandez Era is.

German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Molloy, 11/10/25 (18:47 left 1H)

Preston Edmead go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Bucknell, 11/14/25 (13:30 left 2H)

Biggie Patterson tie-breaking free throw vs. La Salle, 11/28/25 (1:35 left 2H)

Preston Edmead tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Merrimack, 11/29/25 (15:25 left 1H)

Biggie Patterson tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Pennsylvania, 11/30/25 (18:03 left 2H)

Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Pittsburgh, 12/7/25 (8:38 left 1H)

Cruz Davis tie-breaking free throw vs. Old Westbury, 12/10/25 (19:50 left 1H)

German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Syracuse, 12/13/25 (:31.9 left 2H)

Cruz Davis nostalgic 3-point play vs. Quinnipiac, 12/21/25 (3:54 left 2H)

Preston Edmead go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Campbell, 12/29/25 (12:05 left 1H)

German Plotnikov tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Drexel, 1/3/26 (18:27 left 1H)

German Plotnikov go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Towson, 1/8/26 (3:33 left 1H)

A.J. Wills tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Monmouth, 1/10/26 (4:31 left OT)

Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Monmouth, 1/31/26 (19:50 left 1H)

Cruz Davis tie-breaking 3-pointer vs. Northeastern, 2/5/26 (12:38 left 1H)

Cruz Davis tie-breaking jumper vs. Towson, 2/7/26 (16:21 left 1H)

Joshua DeCady go-ahead 3-pointer vs. Hampton, 2/19/26 (15:29 left 1H)

SEASON STANDINGS

Cruz Davis 6

German Plotnikov 4

Preston Edmead 3

Biggie Patterson 2

Joshua DeCady 1

A.J. Wills 1

ALL-TIME STANDINGS (or at least since the 2022-23 season)

Tyler Thomas 16

Darlinstone Dubar 14

Cruz Davis 9

German Plotnikov 7

Jean Aranguren 5

Aaron Estrada 4

Preston Edmead 3

Michael Graham 3

Warren Williams 3

Biggie Patterson 2

Silas Sunday 2

Jacco Fritz 2

Jaquan Carlos 2

Joshua DeCady 1

A.J. Wills 1

Eric Parnell 1

KiJan Robinson 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 TWENTY-EIGHT GAMES

The Dutchmen improved to 18-10 with Thursday night’s win. This ties the 2025-26 team for the 18th-best record in school history through 28 games. Quirky: This is the first time the Dutchmen have opened 18-10 since 2014-15 and the fourth time overall in program history. The Dutchmen were also 17-10 for the first time sine 2014-15, prior to which they were 13-9, 14-9, 15-9, 16-9 and 17-9 this season for the first time since 2021-22. Here is how some notable Hofstra teams have fared through 28 games:

NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT TEAMS

1975-76: 17-11 (win in 28th game came in ECC Tournament semifinal and marked fifth win of six-game winning streak that carried Dutchmen into the NCAAs)

1976-77: 22-6 (win in 28th game came in ECC Tournament semifinal and marked eighth win of nine-game winning streak that carried Dutchmen into the NCAAs)

1999-2000: 22-6 (win in 28th game came in America East tournament quarterfinals, most recent 22-6 start) 

2000-01: 24-4 (win in 28th game came in America East tournament quarterfinals and marked 16th win in program-record, single-season 18-game winning streak, tied for best 28-game record)

2019-20 (IT COUNTS TO US): 21-7 (most recent 21-7 start, win in 28th game was seventh win of eight-game winning streak)

NIT TEAMS

1998-99: 20-8

2004-05: 21-7 (win in 28th game came in CAA quarterfinals and was final win of the season)

2005-06: 23-5 (first 23-5 start, win in 28th game came in CAA quarterfinals)

2006-07: 20-8

2015-16: 20-8

2018-19: 23-5 (most recent 23-5 start)

2022-23: 20-8 (most recent 20-8 start, win in 28th game marked eighth win of 12-game winning streak that continued into the CAA Tournament)

NCAA DIVISION II TOURNAMENT TEAMS

1961-62: 24-4 (tied for best 28-game record, season ended with second-round loss in NCAAs, final game of VBK’s first stint) 

1962-63: 22-6 (win in Middle Atlantic Championships sent Hofstra to NCAAs, was final win of 11-game winning streak)

1963-64: 23-5 (win in Middle Atlantic Championships sent Hofstra to NCAAs, final win of season)

The 1958-59 team, Hofstra’s first to reach the NCAA Tournament, completed its season in 27 games (20-7).

Some other notable 28-game records:

2024-25: 12-16 (most recent 12-16 start, loss in 28th game marked final loss of Speedy Claxton-era record six-game losing streak)

2023-24: 17-11 (most recent 17-11 start)

2021-22: 19-9 (most recent 19-9 start)

2016-17: 13-15 (most recent 13-15 start)

2013-14: 8-20 (most recent 8-20 start, Joe Mihalich’s first team)

2012-13: 6-22 (only 6-22 start, worst 28-game record in school history)

2009-10: 15-13 (only 15-13 start)

2007-08: 11-17 (only 11-17 start, Antoine Agudio broke Steve Nisenson’s career scoring record in 28th game against Delaware)

2003-04: 14-14 (most recent 14-14 start, win in regular season finale was final win, last time at .500)

2002-03: 8-20 (win in CAA tournament quarterfinals was final win)

2001-02: 10-18 (most recent 10-18 start, loss in 28th game marked seventh loss of Tom Pecora-era record-tying eight-game losing streak)

1994-95: 10-18 (season ended w/loss to Drexel in NAC quarterfinals, Jay Wright’s first year)

1993-94: 8-20 (beat Troy State in ECC semifinals, VBK’s last year)

1991-92: 20-8 (won ECC semifinal for final win of season and final win of nine-game winning streak that ended in ECC title game)

1990-91: 14-14 (season ended w/loss in ECC quarterfinals)

1989-90: 13-15 (season ended w/loss in ECC quarterfinals)

1988-89: 14-14 (win in ECC quarterfinals was final win of season, last time at .500)

1986-87: 10-18 (season ended w/loss in ECC quarterfinals)

1985-86: 16-12 (only 16-12 start, won ECC quarterfinals)

1984-85: 14-14 (win in ECC quarterfinals was final win of season, last time at .500)

1983-84: 14-14 (season ended w/loss in ECC quarterfinals)

1981-82: 12-16 (only previous 12-16 start, season ended w/loss in ECC quarterfinals)

1979-80: 14-14 (lost season finale, final game for Joe Harrington)

1950-51: 18-10 (win in 28th game was final win of season and last win of six-game winning streak)

Hofstra has never been 28-0, 27-1, 26-2, 25-3, 9-19, 7-21, 5-23, 4-24, 3-25, 2-26, 1-27 or 0-28 through 28 games. Outside of those 12 records, the only 28-game record the Dutchmen haven’t posted this century is 16-12. Quirky!

Forty-two seasons were completed in fewer than 28 games:

1936-37 (10-7)

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)

1947-48 (13-6)

1948-49 (18-8)

1949-50 (17-9)

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)

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)

1980-81 (12-15)

1982-83 (18-9)

1987-88 (6-21)

1992-93 (9-18)

1995-96 (9-18)

1996-97 (12-15)

2020-21 (13-10)

Game no. 28 marks the final time in which fewer than half the previous Hofstra seasons were already completed.

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 ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE

With Thursday night’s win, Speedy Claxton improved to 99-62 (.615) as head coach. That’s the third-best known winning percentage for a Hofstra coach through his first 161 games at the helm.

Butch van Breda Kolff I 121-40 (.752, 161st game was the 10th game of his seventh season in 1961-62) 

Frank Reilly 115-46 (.714, 161st game was the fifth game of his seventh season in 1953-54) 

SPEEDY CLAXTON 99-62 (.615, 161st game was the 28th game of his fifth season in 2025-26) 

Paul Lynner 98-63 (.609, 161st game was the first game of his seventh season in 1968-69) 

Joe Mihalich 86-75 (.534, 161st game was the 28th game of his fifth season in 2017-18) 

Tom Pecora 86-75 (.534, 161st game was the eighth game of his sixth season in 2006-07) 

Dick Berg 83-78 (.516, 161st game was the 22nd game of his sixth season in 1985-86) 

Jay Wright 82-79 (.509, 161st game was the 16th game of his fifth season in 1998-99) 

Roger Gaeckler 77-84 (.478, 161st game was the second game of his seventh season in 1978-79) 

Butch van Breda Kolff II 73-88 (.453, 161st game was the 20th game of his sixth season in 1993-94)

Speedy Claxton jumps back into sole possession of third place as the Paul Lynner’s seventh squad drops its season opener in 1968-69. Can Speedy get to an even 100 wins in exactly the number of games Major League Baseball plays in the regular season? Joe Mihalich and Tom Pecora remain tied for fifth as they each win their 161st game on the sideline while Dick Berg’s 1985-86 team wins its sixth straight as Berg snaps a tie with Jay Wright for seventh place. The Dutchmen earn their first win in Roger Gaeckler’s seventh and final season while the 1993-94 team loses a non-conference game in February to Notre Dame in the 161st game of Butch van Breda Kolff’s second stint. Different times, that first year at Hofstra.

The records are incomplete for Jack McDonald’s first stint from 1936 through 1943 as well as the tenure of Jack Smith (1943-46).

Smith finished 27-32 in his three seasons while Mo Cassara finished 38-59 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.