Elon, NC - The Hofstra men's basketball team placed four players in double figures, led by 18 points from Cruz Davis, as they dispatched Elon, 74-63, on Thursday evening at the Schar Center. Joshua DeCady gave Hofstra a huge lift off the bench with a season-best 15 points and five rebounds. 

Two Pride players had double-doubles in the contest as Michael Graham tallied 15 points and 13 rebounds in his return to Elon (played his first two seasons at Elon), while Jean Aranguren contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds. It was the team-leading fifth double-double of the season for both players. 

The win improved Hofstra's record to 12-10 and 4-5 in conference play. Elon dropped to 14-8 and 5-4 in the CAA. 

An early two-point deficit was quickly erased as Hofstra grabbed a five-point lead, 15-10, following four consecutive points from DeCady. A free throw from Aranguren followed by a three-pointer from DeCady pushed the first half advantage to 14, 35-21, with just under four minutes left before intermission. The Pride would take a seven-point lead into the break after Elon beat the first half buzzer with a three-pointer. 

The Phoenix quickly closed the gap to five in the opening minutes of the second stanza before an 8-0 Pride run that culminated with a three-pointer from Khalil Farmer made it 50-37 with 16:33 showing on the clock. A basket from Aranguren later in the half would allow Hofstra to regain the 14-point lead and the Pride was never seriously challenged the rest of the way as they earned the important double-digit road win. 


TJ Simpkins had 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists for Elon, which also got 16 points and 10 rebounds from Sam Sherry. 

Hofstra continues its North Carolina road trip on Saturday when it travels to Campbell for a 1 p.m. contest. The game will air on FloCollege and WRHU will have an audio-only broadcast available on the HAWC. 

NOTES
 - Tonight was the 19th all-time meeting between Hofstra and Elon in men's basketball. The Pride now leads the series, 14-5, and has won three straight, four of the last five, and nine of the last 11 meetings between the teams. 
- Hofstra improved to 37-13 over its last 50 games on Thursdays.
- Hofstra improved to 49-12 under Speedy Claxton when holding its opponent under 70 points. 
- The Pride has won 18 of its last 26 and 21 of its last 30 road games in CAA play. 
- DeCady's previous season-high was 12 points against St. Joseph's (L.I.) on December 6. He also tied his season-best of five rebounds, established against SUNY Old Westbury on November 4. 
- Elon's 28.8% field goal percentage was the fourth opponent this season that Hofstra has held under 30% and the third-lowest of the season for a Pride opponent. 
- Aranguren also had five assists in the game, marking the 11th time this season he has had at least five assists in a contest. 
- Hofstra's seven turnovers was the third-fewest of the season for the Pride.