Hofstra Wins CAA Title 75-69, NCAA Bid After 25 Years

In Washington, D.C., the Hofstra Pride captured the Coastal Athletic Association tournament championship on Tuesday night, defeating the Monmouth Hawks 75-69 to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years. Freshman point guard Preston Edmead led the charge with a game-high 26 points, marking his season high and propelling the third-seeded Pride to their fifth overall appearance in the event.

The victory at CareFirst Arena came six years to the day after Hofstra's 2020 CAA title, which was rendered bittersweet when the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hofstra, now 24-10, last competed in the Big Dance in 2001. The Pride built a 35-32 halftime lead behind Edmead's 16 points in the first half, including a four-point play. Monmouth, the fourth seed at 19-15, surged ahead early in the second half, taking a 45-39 advantage on a hot start from guard Kavion McClain, who finished with 19 points. Hofstra responded with a 12-2 run, sparked by junior guard Cruz Davis, to regain control. Edmead's free throws with 14 seconds left extended the lead to 71-65, and despite McClain's four-point play narrowing the gap, Hofstra sealed the...