Harrisonburg, VA – Sophomore guard Brian Bernardi had a team-high 22 points, but the Hofstra Men's Basketball team could never recover from a first half deficit as the Pride dropped an 82-73 decision to James Madison on Saturday afternoon at the JMU Convocation Center. 

The loss drops the Pride's record to 19-12 overall and 10-8 in Colonial Athletic Association play. James Madison improved to 19-12 and 12-6 in league action with the victory. The game was the regular season finale for both squads. 

James Madison jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage as the Dukes got three-pointers from Joey McLean and Jackson Kent in the first three minutes of the contest to lead early on. 

Hofstra would score 12 of the next 19 points in the game to close the deficit to one, 15-14, following a three-pointer from Bernardi at the 12:23 mark of the opening half. In addition to Bernardi, Hofstra also got a three-pointer from junior guard Juan'ya Green during the run. 

The score would be 23-22 in favor of the Dukes following a free throw from Green with 7:04 showing on the clock before James Madison used an 11-0 run to open up a 34-22 advantage with 3:10 left in the half. A layup from graduate guard Dion Nesmith ended the Dukes run, but in total JMU would end up with an 18-3 run to close the first half as they led 41-25 at the break. 

After the Dukes pushed the lead to 19, 46-27, with 18:20 showing on the second half clock, Hofstra would begin to mount a rally. An old-fashioned three-point play by junior forward Ameen Tanksley would start an 11-2 run that allowed the Pride to close the gap to 48-38 at the 16-minute mark. Bernardi keyed the spurt as he had seven of the Pride's 11 points during the run. 

JMU would end the run with a basket from Tom Vodanovich before Hofstra would get even closer. A three-pointer from sophomore guard Jamall Robinson would start a 9-0 Pride run, including a trifecta from Tanksley, to put Hofstra within striking distance at 50-47 with just under 14 minutes left in regulation. 

The Dukes would stem the tide, though, as JMU scored seven straight points to push the lead back to 10 points with 11:35 to play in the second stanza. 

A pair of free throws from senior center Moussa Kone would close the gap back to five, 60-55, before James Madison got consecutive three-pointers from Kent and Ron Curry to get the advantage back to double digits. 

That proved to be enough of a cushion for James Madison as the Dukes would capture the win in the regular season finale and sweep the season series from the Pride. 

Nesmith added 14 points and five rebounds for the Pride, which also got 11 points, four assists and four rebounds from Green. He has now scored in double figures in every game this season. 

Curry was the star for James Madison as he had a double-double with 20 points and 11 assists, while also adding five rebounds. Kent added 20 points. Dalembert finished with 14 points and five rebounds for the Dukes. 

Hofstra will next be in action at the CAA Championship next weekend at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Hofstra will be the five seed and will play at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.