Dragons Come up Just Short at Hofstra, 79-74

Sunday, February 7

Hempstead, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

8-7,3-5CAA

Hofstra

12-7,8-4CAA

Drexel

Hofstra

Photo by: Philip Hinds

2/7/2021 3:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Bickerstaff and Bell Have Big Nights in the Loss

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Drexel's T.J. Bickerstaff scored 18 points and Xavier Bell added a career-high 16, but the Dragons comeback bid came up just short at Hofstra, 79-74, at the David Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Hofstra (12-7, 8-4 CAA) led by 16 points at one point in the second half before the Dragons (8-7, 3-5 CAA) made a late run to make it a game down the stretch.

The Dragons trailed 66-50 midway through the second half, but scored the next 11 points of the game to trim Hofstra's lead to just five. James Butler scored five points during the run as the Drexel defense held the Pride off the board for more than five and a half minutes. Drexel kept it to a two-possession game for most of the remainder of the contest, but couldn't get any closer than five the rest of the way.

Bickerstaff had his second straight impressive performance. The sophomore was 6-for-7 from the floor and made all six of his free throw attempts. Bell made his second straight start in the absence of Mate Okros and responded in a big way. He was 4-for-5 from behind the arc and handed out five assists. Butler had his fifth double-double of the year with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He had 13 of his 16 points in the second half. Camren Wynter added 14 points and six assists. The Long Island native committed just one turnover in 39 minutes of play.

Hofstra had five players score in double figures. Tareq Coburn led the way with 17 points. Isaac Kante scored 16 and also had a game-high 16 rebounds. Kvonn Cramer finished with 15 points and missed just one of his eight field goal attempts.

The Dragons continued to shoot the ball well, finishing at 53 percent on the afternoon. They committed just nine turnovers and only two in the second half. The Pride shot an even 50 percent and made eight 3-pointers.