Hofstra denies Columbia's late charge for 88-86 win

NEW YORK (AP) — Eli Pemberton put Hofstra ahead for good on a pair of free throws with 1:51 left and had a key block late that helped the Pride hold off Columbia for an 88-86 win on Tuesday night.

Pemberton's free throws made it 87-86 and Columbia went scoreless from there. Pemberton blocked Columbia's CJ Davis' shot with 5 seconds left and Deron Powers added 1 of 2 free throws for the Pride (5-3).

Brian Bernardi had 21 points, Powers and Ty Greer scored 15 each, and Pemberton and Jamall Robinson added 12 each.

The Lions (3-3) rallied with nine straight points to take their first lead of the second half at 86-85 on Luke Petrasek's 3-pointer with 2:06 left. But Columbia missed its final four shots and failed to take advantage of a pair of turnovers by Hofstra in the final minute.

Petrasek had 27 points and Nate Hickman added 21 for Columbia.