THE HOFSTRA
HEMPSTEAD, NY VOLUME 93 ISSUE 12
CHRONICLE
TUESDAY March 10, 2026
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935
Preston Edmead’s 3-pointer sends Hofstra to championship in overtime win against Towson SPORTS
By Eric Leaf
relentless physicality, trading stops and keeping the score tight throughout the opening 20 minThe Hofstra University utes. The teams produced nearly men’s basketball team played identical numbers from the field. the biggest game of the seaHofstra went into the locker room son on Monday, March 9, and trailing by a single point after delivered a moment that will be shooting 35% from the floor while remembered for years. The Pride Towson shot 37%. stunned Towson University with Davis struggled to find his a 68-65 dramatic, overtime gamerhythm early. The junior guard winner in the last second during was held to just two points in the the Coastal Athletic Association first half, shooting 1-7 from the (CAA) Men’s Basketball Chamfield. Towson’s defense focused pionship in Washington, D.C. heavily on slowing down HofsThe win keeps the Pride’s chamtra’s leading scorer. pionship hopes alive in breathtakThe all-out war continued into ing fashion. the second half, but Davis, once Early in the extra period, the again, earned that title and fought CAA Men’s Basketball Player through the defense. He shot of the Year, Cruz Davis, fouled 5-10 from the floor and dropped out, leaving the Pride without 16 points in the second half Royce Dickson-Child / The Hofstra Chronicle their star guard for the remainder alone. He ended the night with a of overtime. With just over four total of 18 points. CAA Rookie of the Year Preston Edmead played all 45 minutes, tallying 22 points, 3 rebounds minutes left, and the Pride sudand 3 assists. Last season’s CAA Player of denly missing its best player, the Year, Tyler Tejada of Towson, the Tigers were handed a was electric throughout the game, golden opportunity to seize pouring in 29 points and carrycontrol of the game. ing his team offensively. Tejada “As soon as I went out [of] nearly delivered the game’s definthe game, Preston [Edmead] ing moment in regulation, rising gave me a hug,” Davis said. for a potential game-winning shot “He told me he got me, so just with 31 seconds remaining. The having that – having my teamattempt missed the mark, sending The intensity of the game was The shot kissed off the glass The Pride got a hold of the ball mates – I know they got my back.” tied at 65-65 with the shot clock the game into overtime. evident even before the opening and dropped through the net, Hofstra needed their other star A championship and a trip to tip. Although the CAA Champistunning the crowd and sending off and the seconds burning away. to rise to the occasion, and he did. Edmead took his time ensuring that the Hofstra bench into chaos. The onship is played at a neutral site the NCAA Tournament will be on The Pride’s backcourt two-headed Towson did not receive the ball. the line Tuesday, March 10, as the Pride had sealed the win with just and Hofstra entered the matchup monster was down a man, but as the designated home team, the Pride take on Monmouth Univer0.3 seconds remaining. Edmead drifted to the right CAA Rookie of the Year, Ed“Gutsy win by my guys, man,” CareFirst Arena felt anything but sity in the nation’s capital for the wing, standing nearly 27 feet mead, didn’t flinch. The freshman from the basket as the final secClaxton said. “I thought [Towson] neutral; fans of the Towson Tigers title game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. guard seized the biggest moment onds ticked away. With Towson “We’ve got to get ready for a – much closer to home – packed came out and they fought from of his young career. Playing like the building and made their pres- tough Monmouth team,” Claxton start to finish. Credit to Towson; defender Dylan Williamson a man on a mission, he refused to smothering him and the clock said. “They’re playing well also. ence known, creating a booming they did not lay down, but we let Hofstra’s season slip away. We know they’re going to guard environment that set the tone for knew that. They’re preseason about to expire, the freshman “The adjustment was simple, us. They’re going to be tough. favorites for a reason. I told these the high-stakes battle. guard rose up and launched a get [Edmead] the ball, and get out deep 3-pointer. They’re going to be physical. The energy carried over onto guys before the game this mornof the way and try to go rebound “Coach said ‘Get one last shot,’ ing that the team that we saw last the hardwood, where the first half We’ve got to go back to the hotel, it,” said Hofstra head coach turned into a defensive grind. Both get some rest, get some ice baths and I [saw] the time ticking down, game is not the same team we Speedy Claxton. Hofstra and the Tigers played with and be ready to go tomorrow.” were going to see tonight.” and I just shot it,” Edmead said. STAFF WRITER
“The adjustment was simple, get [Edmead] the ball, and get out of the way and try to go rebound it.”