Hempstead, NY – Junior guard Juan'ya Green led four players in double figures with 19 points, but it wasn't enough as a late Pride rally fell short and the Hofstra Men's Basketball team dropped an 82-77 decision to Columbia at Levien Gymnasium on Saturday evening. 

The loss ends a four-game win streak for Hofstra, which falls to 7-3 with the loss. Columbia improves to 6-3 with the victory. 

Junior forward Ameen Tanksley added 18 points and seven rebounds for Hofstra, while graduate guard Dion Nesmith chipped in with 18 points as well. Nesmith scored 13 points in the opening twenty minutes to lead all scorers as the Pride held a 38-34 lead at the break. 

Maodo Lo scored a game-high 29 points and added seven rebounds to lead Columbia to the victory.

Hofstra trailed 73-63 late before an 8-0 got the Pride back to within 73-71 on an old-fashioned three-point play from Green. That would be as close as Hofstra would get though as the Lions held the Pride at bay over the final four minutes to capture the victory in the exciting local rivalry. 

Junior forward Malik Nichols nearly had his third straight double-double as he added 10 points and nine rebounds for Hofstra. 

Steve Frankoski and Kyle Castlin were also in double figures for the Lions with 14 and 13 points, respectively. 

Hofstra is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts La Salle in a special 4 p.m. tip-off.