Hofstra Edges Drexel in Hempstead, 71-68

Monday, January 17

Hempstead, N.Y.

4 p.m.

Drexel University

7-7,2-2CAA

Hofstra

11-7,3-2CAA

Drexel

Hofstra

1/17/2022 5:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Xavier Bell Scored a Career-High 30 Points in the Loss

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Xavier Bell poured in a career-high 30 points, but Hofstra held on for a 71-68 win on Martin Luther King Day at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Camren Wynter's 3-point attempt which would have tied the game from the right wing went in and out as the Pride stayed unbeaten at home.

Drexel took a 65-66 lead with just over a minute to play when Bell drove to the basket and scored on a contested lay-in. The Pride answered on the next possession when Aaron Estrada hit a long two-pointer. The bucket gave Hofstra (11-7, 3-2) the lead for good. Bell was called for a travel on the next possession for Drexel and the Dragons were forced to foul. Hofstra made four straight free throws in the final minute sandwiched around a Wynter jumper to take the 71-68 lead with seven seconds remaining. The Dragons got the ball in and Wynter raced down court and took an off the dribble three from the wing. The shot looked like it was going to fall, but bounced out just before time expired, dropping the Dragons record to 7-7 overall and 2-2 in CAA play.

The game was close throughout as neither team led by more than seven points the entire game. The contest featured 23 lead changes and five ties. The Dragons, once again playing with just seven scholarship players, found themselves down by six midway through the second half, but cut the lead in half when Coletrane Washington drained a 3-pointer to make it 50-47. After a Hofstra bucket, Bell's basket in the paint with 9:09 left again made it a three-point game. It would remain a one-possession game the rest of the way.

Bell had 17 of his career-high in the second half. He was 13-for-17 from the floor, made three 3-pointers and handed out five assists. Wynter, playing in his hometown of Hempstead, added 13 points and seven rebounds. Drexel shot 48 percent in the game. Hofstra was led by Estrada, who scored 26 point and had eight assists. He was 11-for-24 from the field. Jalen Ray came off the bench to score 18. Both Estrada and Ray were forced into difficult shots, but the two veterans were able to make them down the stretch. The Dragons' defense held the Pride to just 4-for-16 from long range. Hofstra came into the game making almost 10 treys per game. The Pride is now 7-0 at the Mack Complex.

The Dragons will return to Philadelphia and start a two-game homestand beginning on Thursday night against Elon. William & Mary will visit the Daskalakis Athletic Center as Drexel celebrates homecoming next weekend.