Hempstead, NY – Sophomore Brian Bernardi scored 17 of his team-high 23 points in the second half to lead three Pride players in double-figures as Hofstra cruised by Drexel, 86-58 in a Colonial Athletic Association game at the Mack Sports Complex Wednesday night.

Hofstra, which stopped a two-game skid but have now won for the seventh time in the last nine outings, improves to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in the CAA. Drexel, which has dropped 10 of its last 12 games, falls to 4-14 on the year and 2-5 in conference play.

Bernardi hit eight of 12 field goals, including six three-pointers, to post his fourth 20-point game of the year for Hofstra. Junior Juan'ya Green recorded his sixth double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 assists. The 11 helpers equal his season-high this season. Junior Malik Nichols posted his third double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Pride shot 51 percent (35-69) from the field and tallied 50 points in the paint. Hofstra also outrebounded the Dragons, 43-29.

Drexel was led by junior Damion Lee with 27 points and seven rebounds while classmate Tavon Allen added 10 points. The Dragons shot 35 percent (18-51) from the field and committed 18 turnovers.

Hofstra jumped on the Dragons early, scoring 14 of the first 16 points to take a 14-2 lead just 4:57 into the contest. Bernardi hit two three-pointers in the run and Nichols added three layups to account for 12 of the 14 Pride points.

But Drexel outscored the Pride, 11-7 with Sammy Mojica scoring five, over the next four minutes to close to 21-13 on a Lee layup at the 10:40 mark. Hofstra responded with a basket by Jamall Robinson and a three-pointer by Ameen Tanksley as part of a 7-3 run to open up a 28-16 on a Moussa Kone layup at the 8:27 mark.

After Hofstra regained a 12-point advantage at  35-23 on a Robinson three-pointer at the 3:36 mark, Drexel's Allen hit two free throws 23 seconds later to start a 6-0 run and bring the Dragons back within six on two Lee free throws with 2:05 to play. Green hit consecutive baskets for Hofstra before Mojica hit a put-back at the buzzer to end the half with the Pride leading 39-31. Hofstra, which shot 47 percent (15-32) from the field in the period, was led by Green with nine. Drexel, which hit on 10 of 27 (37%) from the field, was led by Lee with 11 points.

Hofstra opened up the lead in the second half as Bernardi's three-pointer and Tanksley's jumper ignited a 21-8 Pride run over the first 5:32 of the period to open up a 60-39 advantage on a Rokas Gustys slam. Bernardi tallied 11 points in the Hofstra spurt.

Lee and Freddie Wilson hit consecutive three-pointers for the Dragons to move closer at 60-45 with 12:23 remaining. But while Drexel missed their next nine field goal attempts, the Pride went on a 17-1 run over the next 5:12 to open up a 31-point lead at 77-46 on a three-pointer by Bernardi with 6:03 to play. Hofstra cleared their bench with 3:28 to play on the way to the 86-58 victory.

Hofstra returns to action on Saturday, January 24 when the Pride host the Dukes of James Madison University at the Mack Sports Complex. Game time is 4 p.m.