BOCA RATON, Fla. – Freshman forward Joe Pridgen totaled 16 points and seven rebounds, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Hofstra 91-69 in the Boca Raton Beach Classic at Abessino Court at FAU Arena. The Crusaders fall to 0-7 on the season with the loss, while the Pride improves to 5-3 overall. 

Holy Cross made 53.7 percent of its field goal attempts on the day, but hit just 22.2 percent of its three-pointers and 58.3 percent of its foul shots. Hofstra connected on 47.4 percent of its shots from the floor and 88.6 percent of its free throws, while holding a 35-12 edge in free throw attempts.

The Pride opened the game by holding an 18-13 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, before scoring nine straight points to go up by 14 (27-13). The Crusaders were able to trim the margin to nine (29-20), but the Pride then closed out the half with an 11-6 run to take a 40-26 advantage into the locker room.

After Holy Cross closed to within 11 (42-31) early in the second half, Hofstra used a 9-0 spurt to go up by 20 (51-31) with 16:51 left to play. The Crusaders would get no closer than 18 points the rest of the way, and the Pride went on to post a 22-point victory.

Sophomore forward Marlon Hargis finished the game with 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Junior guard Austin Butler totaled 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, while sophomore forward Blake Verbeek added 10 points and three boards. Hofstra was led by Desure Buie with 21 points, five assists and four steals.

Holy Cross returns to action on Monday, Dec. 2, when it faces Mercer in the consolation game of the Naismith Bracket in the Boca Raton Beach Classic at 11:00 a.m.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Pridgen set a new career high in scoring with his 16 points.
• Verbeek scored in double digits for the first time in his career with his 10 points.

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