HEMPSTEAD, NY -- The University of Delaware women’s basketball team dropped a 59-56 heartbreaker to Hofstra on Thursday afternoon at the David S. Mack Sports Complex, trimming a late 11-point deficit to one before squandering two chances to take the lead in the final minute in the Colonial Athletic Association matchup.

The Blue Hens were led by sophomore guard Corinthia Benison, who scored 16 points and added a career-high eight assists, but missed a baseline three-pointer that could have tied the game on the Hens’ final possession.

Senior forward Courtney Irving tallied 12 points and six rebounds, while freshman forward Ariene Jenkins joined her frontcourt mate in double figures with 11 points and seven boards.

Freshman forward Britne Rodgers sank a three-pointer to cap a 10-0 Hofstra run and put the Pride up 53-42 with just 5:19 left in regulation, but the Hens chipped away at the lead from that point. Irving and Jenkins connected on short jumpers, and then Benison and Jenkins hit two free throws each to pull UD to within 55-50 with 2:46 left.

After Hofstra forward Sam Brigham went coast-to-coast for a lay-in just six seconds later, Benison muscled in a lay-up and was fouled by the Pride’s Candice Bellocchio. She converted the three-point play, and Jenkins followed with a free throw to make it 57-54 at the 2:01 mark.

Two possessions later, Irving found space in the lane and lofted in a soft jumper with 54 ticks left. The Hens got a huge stop when HU’s Niki Williams misfired from deep to give Delaware possession with 18.8 seconds left and a chance to complete an improbable comeback, but senior guard Kyle DeHaven drove into the lane, drew heavy contact, and lost the ball. After two Brigham free throws, UD had one last shot to knot the score, but Benison’s three from deep in the left corner hit the side of the backboard.

“The loss is unfortunate because I know we can play much better,” said Delaware head coach Tina Martin, whose Hens (4-16, 3-5 CAA) had won three in a row over Hofstra. “They get down on themselves because they’re young, and they just can’t get out of that mindset. We’ve had some real heartbreakers, but we still have 10 games left. I know we can compete in all of them.”

Hofstra, energized by a vocal crowd of youngsters on hand for “What Do You Want To Be?” Day, jumped out to a 23-12 lead midway through the first half. The Hens closed the gap to four by halftime, thanks in large part to six points from Jenkins.

The Hens took their first lead of the game at 29-28 when DeHaven hit a three with 18:38 left in the game. The teams traded baskets for several minutes until DeHaven tied it at 40 apiece on two free throws at the 9:35 mark, but Hofstra scored 13 of the next 15 points to take the lead for good.

DeHaven finished with eight points, five steals, and four assists for the Hens, who shot 52.4 percent from the floor in the second half and 40.8 percent (20-for-49) for the game.

Rodgers netted 11 of her game-high 18 points after intermission and pulled down a team-high six boards for the Pride (4-15, 2-6 CAA), who snapped a four-game losing streak. Brigham poured in 15 points and dished out three assists.

Hofstra committed 28 turnovers, but stayed in contention on the strength of its 15-for-16 free-throw shooting.

Delaware continues its two-game road trip on Sunday afternoon, when the Hens visit Northeastern.

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