Tempe, AZ - The Hofstra men's basketball team dropped an 85-63 decision to Arizona State Tuesday night at Desert Financial Arena.
The Pride received double-digit scoring performances from Deywilk Tavarez, Xavier Blake and Nick Jefferson, but Arizona State used a strong second-half performance to pull away and improve to 3-0 on the season. Hofstra fell to 1-2 with the loss.
Hofstra kept pace with the Sun Devils in the opening 20 minutes, trailing 41-32 at halftime. Jefferson led the Pride with 11 points in the first half, while Tavarez and Trey Boyd III each knocked down a pair of three-pointers. Hofstra also received a strong first-half contribution from Imanuel Zorgvol, who scored five points and added two blocked shots.
Arizona State took control early in the second half, using an extended scoring run to build a 58-35 advantage with 14:20 remaining. The Sun Devils connected on 13 three-pointers in the contest and outrebounded Hofstra, 49-25, helping the home team maintain its advantage throughout the second half.
Tavarez and Blake paced Hofstra with 12 points apiece, with Tavarez connecting on three three-pointers and Blake adding two. Jefferson finished with 11 points and a team-high five assists, while Boyd contributed eight points. Zorgvol added five points and two blocks.
Arizona State was led by Paulius Murauskas, who recorded a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds. JRob Croy added 18 points, while Joel Foxwell finished with 16 points and six assists.Â
Hofstra returns to action Friday when it hosts Iona at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at 7 p.m. The Pride will raise their 2026 NCAA Tournament banner prior to the game. Tickets are available at HofstraTickets.com, by calling (516) HOF-TIXX, or by visiting the box office in the lobby of the Mack Sports Complex during regular business hours or one hour before game time Friday.Â
Notes:
-This was the first meeting between Hofstra and Arizona State.
-Hofstra scored 42 bench points.
-The Sun Devils shot 48.3% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
-Arizona State led the entire game.
