Nassau, The Bahamas - Jean Aranguren scored a team-high 21 points, but it was not enough as the Hofstra men's basketball team dropped a 61-59 decision to Tarleton State on Saturday evening at the Baha Mar Convention Center. The game was the Pride's second of three at the Baha Mar Hoops: Nassau Championship. 

Hofstra dropped to 5-3 with the loss, while Tarleton State improved to 2-6. 

The Pride faced as much as a seven-point first half deficit before a free throw late in the half closed the gap to five at the break.

Tarleton State opened up a 10-point lead midway through the second stanza and still held the double-digit lead with 4:41 showing on the clock before Hofstra began to rally. 

A 10-1 Pride run that culminated with a three-pointer from Khalil Farmer made it 60-59 with 1:31 remaining. Hofstra would get a stop on the ensuing Tarleton State possession but the Pride came up empty with a pair of missed attempts. The Pride had one final chance in the contest as they got the ball back trailing by two with six seconds left, but a three-point attempt to win it was off the mark. 


Jaquan Sanders added seven points and three rebounds, while Cruz Davis tallied five points, four rebounds, and seven assists. Silas Sunday tied his career-highs in rebounds and blocked shots with seven and three, respectively. 

Ronnie Harrison Jr. led all scorers with 27 points and Bubu Benjamin added 15 points for the Texans. 

Hofstra concludes play in The Bahamas on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. when it takes on Arkansas State. 

NOTES
- Today was the first-ever meeting between Hofstra and Tarleton State. 
- Aranguren has led Hofstra in scoring a team-best four times this season and reached 20 or more points for the third time this season. 
- Sunday previously had seven rebounds on a trio of occasions, most recently at Hampton on February 8, 2024. He previously had three blocked shots on a pair of occasions, most recently against Seton Hall earlier this season.