TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — Cruz Davis scored 32 points to lead Hofstra to a 78-67 victory over Towson in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game Thursday afternoon at SECU Arena. The Pride never trailed after building a 39-30 halftime lead. Davis, who played 40 minutes, keyed the effort, while Preston Edmead added 18 points. Hofstra improved to 12-4 overall by capitalizing on Towson’s 12 turnovers, converting them into 17 points. Tyler Tejada led the Tigers with 22 points. Towson, which shot just 33.9% from the field, fell to 8-9. An announced crowd of 2,103 watched as Hofstra maintained its lead throughout the second half despite Towson closing the gap to single digits multiple times.

TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant individual performance and a decisive early surge, the Hofstra Pride withstood a late push to secure a 78-67 victory over the Towson Tigers in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup Thursday afternoon at SECU Arena. Hofstra guard Cruz Davis, a junior from Plano, Texas, delivered a career-high 32 points, propelling the Pride to their third consecutive win and improving their record to 12-4 overall. Towson, led by Tyler Tejada’s 22 points, fell to 8-9. The most critical phase of the contest came in the latter stages of the first half, when Hofstra transformed a tight game into a commanding lead. With the score tied at 22 and just over six minutes remaining before halftime, the Pride unleashed a devastating 17-5 run to seize control. Davis was the catalyst, scoring 11 points during the burst, including a trio of three-pointers. His step-back three with 3:07 left gave Hofstra a 33-24 advantage, and another deep shot off an offensive rebound from Preston Edmead extended the lead to 39-27 with just over two minutes to play. Hofstra took a 39-30 lead into the break, having held Towson to just 30.5% shooting from the floor in the opening period. The Pride’s defensive pressure was a constant theme, as they converted 12 Towson turnovers into 17 points, while the Tigers managed only seven points off eight Hofstra giveaways. Towson mounted a persistent challenge in the second half, multiple times cutting the deficit to single digits. A Tyler Coleman three-pointer brought the Tigers within 51-44 with 9:45 to play, and a Tejada jumper made it 64-58 with just over a minute remaining. Each time, however, Hofstra answered at the free-throw line, where they built a significant advantage. The Pride attempted 32 free throws, making 25, compared to Towson’s 19-of-25 performance. Davis, who played all 40 minutes, added six rebounds and two assists to his scoring total. He was supported by backcourt mate Preston Edmead, who contributed 18 points and seven rebounds, and German Plotnikov, who chipped in 17 points. Hofstra’s efficiency was notable, scoring 78 points on just 66 possessions for an offensive rating of 117.8. For Towson, Tejada filled the stat sheet with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in his 40 minutes. Coleman added 16 points and five rebounds, and Jaquan Womack scored 14. The Tigers struggled offensively, posting an offensive rating of 95.9, and were outscored 26-14 in the paint despite a 13-9 edge in offensive rebounds. The game, attended by 2,103 fans, saw Hofstra shoot 42.3% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range, while Towson finished at 33.9% overall and 36.4% from beyond the arc. The result defied the pregame projections, as Towson had been installed as a slight one-point favorite by oddsmakers. The victory extends Hofstra’s positive momentum as they prepare to host Monmouth on Saturday. Towson looks to rebound on the road at Northeastern, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch at Hofstra on Feb. 7.

Preview: Hofstra at Towson in Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Basketball TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — A surging Hofstra team will look to continue its climb in the Colonial Athletic Association standings when it visits a struggling Towson squad on Thursday afternoon at SECU Arena. The Pride (11-4) enter on a five-game winning streak, their latest a 70-67 road victory at Drexel on Saturday. The Tigers (8-8), meanwhile, have dropped three straight, including a 62-48 home loss to Monmouth in their most recent outing. The matchup features a stark contrast in momentum. Hofstra’s streak includes a notable 70-69 win at Syracuse on Dec. 13. Towson’s recent skid follows a dominant 107-60 victory over Notre Dame on Dec. 19, highlighting the team’s volatility. Hofstra is powered by guard Cruz Davis, who has been exceptional during the win streak. Over his last four games against Division I opponents, Davis has averaged 37.8 minutes, 22.8 points and 5.5 assists, including a 27-point effort against Quinnipiac and a 20-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist performance at Drexel. Towson will counter with forward Tyler Tejada, who has been a bright spot. He posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds at William & Mary on Dec. 29 and scored 22 points in a win over Sacred Heart on Dec. 22. Consistency from Tejada and backcourt mate Dylan Williamson, who had 11 points against Monmouth, will be crucial for the Tigers to snap their slump. The game is the conference opener for both teams. Hofstra will aim to leverage its efficient offense and Davis’s playmaking. Towson must improve its offensive output after failing to reach 50 points in its last game and will rely on its home court advantage to disrupt the Pride’s rhythm. The teams will meet again in Hempstead on Feb. 7.