Drexel Holds off Hofstra in Hempstead, 73-71

Saturday, February 6

Hempstead, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

8-6,3-4CAA

Hofstra

11-7,7-4CAA

Drexel

Hofstra

Photo by: Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos

2/6/2021 3:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Drexel shot a season-high 62 percent and held off a late Hofstra rally to defeat the Pride, 73-71, at the David Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The Dragons opened up a 17-point lead and held on in the closing seconds to pick up a key Colonial Athletic Association win on the road. T.J. Bickerstaff led Drexel with 18 points as the Dragons improved to 8-6 overall and 3-4 in CAA play. They snapped Hofstra's (11-7, 7-4 CAA) five-game winning streak.

The Dragons were on fire all night from the floor and in the second half made 69 percent of their shots. Camren Wynter sank a three-pointer with just under 11 minutes to play to give Drexel what appeared to be a comfortable 13-point lead. The Pride scored seven straight points to make it a game down the stretch. The Drexel lead dwindled to just one at 64-63 with 4:28 to go when Kvonn Cramer scored on a short jumper in the paint. After each team failed to score, the Dragons increased the lead to four when Luke House sank his third 3-pointer of the game.

The Pride was able to keep the game close and cut the lead to one on two more occasions, the last on a pair of free throws by Isaac Kante with just 6.9 ticks remaining on the clock. Hofstra fouled Tim Perry, Jr. and the Cherry Hill, N.J. native was sent to the stripe for a one-and-one. Perry calmly made the first before missing the second. Kante rebounded and gave the ball to Jalen Ray. He raced up the court and took a contested jumper just inside the free throw line that would have tied it, but it bounced out and Drexel defeated the Pride on its home court for the first time since 2014. Hofstra had won eight straight against the Dragons and 13 of the last 14 meetings.

Drexel went on a 14-0 run late in the first half to take control of the game. The Dragons shut down the Pride's potent offense and held Hofstra without a field goal for almost 12 minutes. The Pride finally snapped the run on a late 3-pointer by Ray to cut the Drexel lead to 41-17. Bickerstaff had a big first half, scoring 12 of his game-high 18 points. The sophomore was 5-for-6 during the opening stanza.

Wynter had another solid effort for the Blue and Gold. The Long Island native returned home to score 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting. He also had three 3-pointers and five assists. Zach Walton chipped in with 11 points. The Dragons made 10 of their 16 3-pointers and had a big offensive contribution from House off the bench. The transfer from California (Pa.) was 3-for-3 from deep.

Ray had a huge game for Hofstra. He made eight 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 30 points. Kante added 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Hofstra was able to get back into the game by taking advantage 13 Drexel second-half turnovers.

The two teams will do it again tomorrow. Tip-off will be at 2 p.m.