Abif's Double-Double not Enough as Pride Downs DU, 69-61

Thursday, January 14

Hempstead, N.Y.

7:00

Drexel University

3-13 (1-4CAA)

Hofstra

12-5 (4-1CAA)

Drexel

Hofstra

Photo by: Gavin Baker

Abif's Double-Double not Enough as Pride Downs DU, 69-61

1/14/2016 8:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Hempstead, N.Y. – Kazembe Abif scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds, but Hofstra went on a late run and defeated Drexel, 69-61, in a CAA contest at the Mack Sports Complex. Hofstra stayed tied for the CAA lead at 4-1 (12-5 overall), while Drexel fell to 3-13 and 1-4 in CAA play.

The Dragons trailed for most of the game but took the lead at 56-54 when Sammy Mojica tipped in a missed Tavon Allen three-pointer. However, those were the last points the Dragons would score for more than three minutes. The Pride went on a 10-0 run as Juan'ya Green scored all 10 of those points for Hofstra. Green, who went over 2,000 career points in the game, led all players with 25 points.

Drexel came out strong in the second half after trailing by 10 points at intermission. The Dragons opened the half on a 12-4 run. Abif, who started the game 0-for-5, turned in a huge second half, scoring 14 points in the final 20 minutes. It was a two possession game for the rest of the way until Green's individual run did in the Dragons.

Drexel had a rough start once again from the floor. The visitors were just two of their first 16, but good defense and Hofstra turnovers kept the Dragons in the game. Drexel shot just 26 percent in the first half and trailed by 10 as they were forced into numerous changes due to foul trouble. Rodney Williams and Tavon Allen each had three fouls in the opening half.

The double-double was the fifth of Abif's career. He was 6-for-9 in the second half. Mojica chipped in with 13 points, but was just 5-for-17 from the floor. Tavon Allen added 10 points. Freshman Terrell Allen had a nice overall game. He finished with nine points, a career-high eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Mohamed Bah made the most of his time replacing the foul-plagued Williams. Bah scored eight points and had nine rebounds.

Rokas Gustys had a double-double for Hofstra with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Brian Bernardi finished with 12 points but was held to just one three-pointer. He came into the game leading the league in three-point percentage. Drexel's defense held the high-powered Hofstra attack to just 17 percent (3-18) from deep. The Dragons also forced the Pride into an uncharacteristic 17 turnovers, leading to 17 Drexel points.

The Dragons return to the road on Saturday when they visit Towson. The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet beginning at 4 p.m.