Box Score New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team dropped an 81-63 decision to Hofstra in an ESPNU Bracketbusters match up at the Hynes Center this afternoon. Senior Dexter Gray and junior Gary Springer had 17 points a piece to lead the Gaels (11-18).

After surrendering the first basket of the game to Gray, Hofstra (11-16) tied the score two possessions later and took the lead on two Charles Jenkins free throws and never trailed. Iona fell behind 19-9 at the 13:44 mark but scored six straight to get within four points on a three pointer by sophomore De'Shaune Griffin a little over a minute later. Gray's layup at 5:17 made the score 29-25. The Pride finished the half on a 15-6 run to take a 13-point lead into halftime.

The Gaels continued their struggles on the offensive end in the second half, shooting just 34.5% in the frame and 35.8% for the game.

Gray added nine rebounds while Springer had six and was 11-of-13 from the free throw line.

Jenkins led all scorers with 28 points. He completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Senior Antoine Agudio had 24 for the Pride in the win.

The Gaels return to MAAC action next Friday (Feb. 29) on the road when they take on Marist. Iona is still mathematically alive in its quest to earn the No. 6 seed and avoid playing in the MAAC Championship's Opening Round.