Greensboro, NC - Cruz Davis led all scorers with 30 points, but Trent Middleton Jr. hit a free throw with four seconds left to account for the difference as the Hofstra men's basketball team dropped a 79-78 road decision to North Carolina A&T on Thursday evening at a raucous and sold-out Corbett Sports Center. 

The Pride's two freshmen had strong games as both Preston Edmead and Jaeden Roberts each scored 20 points in the game, with Edmead adding five rebounds and four assists. The 20 points marked a new career-high for Roberts. 

Hofstra held a 13-point halftime advantage but North Carolina A&T used a 13-0 run early in the second half to close the gap to two, 57-55, setting up the game for a close finish. 

Hofstra pushed the lead back to seven later in the second stanza, but the Aggies battled all the way back and would take the lead on a Middleton Jr. three-pointer with 6:29 to play. The game was tied on a pair of occasions in the final two minutes before North Carolina A&T took the lead on the free throw from Middleton Jr. The Pride had one final chance but a three-pointer as time expired was off the mark. 

Silas Sunday led Hofstra with eight rebounds, while Davis tied Edmead for game-high honors with four assists. 

Lewis Walker had 24 points and seven rebounds for the Aggies, which also got 20 points from Middleton Jr. 

Hofstra is back in action on Saturday when it travels to William & Mary for the new start time of 12 p.m. 

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 4-2 all-time against North Carolina A&T. Five of the six meetings have occurred since the teams became conference rivals. 
- Hofstra had three players with 20 or more points for the first time since December 12, 2021 when Darlinstone Dubar (24), Jalen Ray (22), and Omar Silverio (20) did it against John Jay. It was the first time Hofstra did it against a Division I opponent since January 21, 2016 when Juan'ya Green (23), Rokas Gustys (23), and Denton Koon (22) did it against Northeastern. 
- Roberts eclipsed his previous career-high of 17 points set against SUNY Old Westbury back on December 10, 2025. 
- Davis reached the 30-point plateau for the fourth time this season. 
- Edmead reached the 20-point plateau for the fifth time this season. 
- Davis reached double figures for the 20th time this season, Edmead for the 16th time, and Roberts for the fourth time.