BY RODERICK BOONE
With the exception of Speedy Claxton, Antoine Agudio doesn't know much about the people he's blowinig by as he ascends up Hofstra's all-time scoring list. But he knows plenty about the guy the he passed Saturday afternoon on the way to dropping 30 points in the Pride's 86-85 win over James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va.
Agudio needed just 17 points to tie former teammate Loren Stokes and went ahead of him with his 24-point first-half output. He did it in a variety of ways, showing off his deadly jump shot as well as driving to the basket and scoring under control. So now when it comes to the freshman class of 2003, the bragging rights belong to Agudio, although he praised the skills of his former teammate.
"He was a great player, a great scorer," Agudio said.
Never one who likes to talk about his individual accomplishments, Agudio did admit that today's effort has a special feel to it. Not only did he pass Stokes, but it came in a victory. It doesn't get much sweeter than that.
"It means a lot," Agudio said. "It's a great accomplishment because he was a great player. I feel much better now. I'm happy that I moved up on the list and we got the win. So I feel real, real good right now."
Agudio's eyes remain fixed on the No. 1 spot occupied by Steve Nisenson, who recorded 2,222 points in three seasons and has held the record for 43 years. He has 2,161 career points and needs 62 to break it. He's on track to do it Feb. 27 in the Pride's final road game of the season at Delaware.