Hempstead, NY - Brian Bernardi scored a career-high tying 26 points and set a new school record with eight three-pointers as Hofstra rallied to defeat Canisius, 96-85, Friday night at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The Pride, which had six players score in double-figures, trailed by 11 with nine minutes left in the second half and were down as many as 18 points in the first half.

The Golden Griffins used a 26-9 run in the first half to turn a 7-6 lead to a 33-15 advantage with 9:02 to play on Malcolm McMillan's four-point play. But the Pride would put in a run of their own, a 30-10 spurt over the next 8:30 to get within two, 45-43, on Ameen Tanksley's three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining. The teams traded baskets in the final seconds and Canisius held a 47-45 lead at the half.

In the second half, with the score tied at 58, the Golden Griffins embarked on another run to take a 74-65 lead with 9:08 to play. Isaiah Gurley gave Canisius their largest lead of the half with a three-pointer.

But once again, Hofstra had some late magic in them as Bernardi ignited a 12-2 run with a three-pointer and then closed out the spurt with another three-ball as the Pride pulled within one, 77-76, with 5:14 to play. Bernardi would tie the school record for threes, which was held by multiple players, with 3:48 on the clock and the shot would give the Pride an 81-80 lead.

McMillan would put Canisius up by one, 83-82, with a three-pointer with 2:39 to play before Juan'ya Green gave Hofstra the lead for good with a layup 11 seconds later. He then drained a three-pointer and two free throws to extend the advantage to six, 89-83. Bernardi would cap off his night with his record eighth three-pointer with 52 ticks on the clock as the Pride's lead reached nine, 92-83.

McMillan scored a game-high 33 points and added six assists for Canisius. Jamal Reynolds and Kassius Robertson each had 13 points.

Bernardi finished 8-of-12 from the field and was 8-of-11 from long distance. He also added four rebounds. Green had 16 points and 11 assists, his ninth double-double in a Hofstra uniform. Denton Koon, a transfer from Princeton, had 14 points and five rebounds in his Hofstra debut. Malik Nichols and Rokas Gustys each poured in 13 points, while Tanksley had 12. Nichols and Gustys each added 10 rebounds as well.

Hofstra will return to action Monday night when it hosts Molloy College at 7 p.m.

Notes

- Hofstra improved to 22-21 in season openers at the Division I level (since 1972-73)

- Hofstra is 29-14 all-time in home openers at the Division I level

- Bernardi previously had 26 points at Jackson State on November 28, 2014

- Hofstra is 4-0 all-time versus Canisius