Box Score (PDF)

Hempstead, N.Y. – Frantz Massenat scored a career-high 32 points and handed out nine assists as Drexel defeated Hofstra, 77-74, on Long Island Wednesday night.

With the game tied at 66-66, Massenat drove to the bucket for a lay-up to give the Dragons a two-point lead. The Dragons (11-9, 3-4) came up with a stop on the defensive end and Massenat set up Kazembe Abif for another basket, extending the lead to four points with 1:34 remaining. The Dragons had their chances to put Hofstra (7-15, 3-4) away, but were just 7-for-12 from the line in the final 1:12. The Pride had the last possession with a chance to tie with a three-pointer, but Zeke Upshaw's long three-point from just inside half court came up well short.

The Dragons led for the entire first half and by as many as 11 in the early going. Hofstra chipped away, but Drexel scored the last five points of the half and led by eight at intermission after Massenat sank a three-pointer at the buzzer, making it 40-32. The senior scored 17 points in the half and was 5-for-7 from behind the arc.

The Pride opened the second half by making 10 of its first 14 shots and took its first lead of the game at 50-47 when Jamall Robinson made a three-pointer at the 13:36 mark. The bucket capped a 6-0 run. The Dragons saw the deficit extend to five points. However, Drexel picked up its defensive intensity by pressing at times, which forced Hofstra into a few turnovers. Massenat and Chris Fouch hit three-point shots and then Rodney Williams slammed home a Massenat pass to give Drexel a 66-65 lead. The Pride would not lead again.

Massenat finished 9-for-18 from the floor and was 6-for-9 from deep. His six three-pointers tied a career-high. The Ewing, N.J. native played the entire game and did not commit a turnover. He passed Phil Goss for 11^th place on the career-scoring list at Drexel. Fouch added 19 points and drained four three-pointers. His first three of the game was the 250^th of his career. Dartaye Ruffin added nine points and eight rebounds, while Williams finished with eight points and six boards. Abif chipped in with seven rebounds.

Upshaw led Hofstra with 27 points. He was 8-for-20 from the field and 8-for-10 from the line. Robinson had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Dion Nesmith contributed 13 points and eight assists for the Pride.

The Dragons finish their brief two-game road stretch on Saturday afternoon in Maryland. Drexel will face Towson in a nationally-televised game from SECU Arena at 4:40. The game can be seen live on the NBC Sports Network. Drexel will have a short turn around as the team returns to the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Monday against UNC Wilmington.