Freshman Preston Edmead scored a season-high 26 points and Hofstra is returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years after defeating Monmouth 75-69 for the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament championship. Third-seeded Hofstra earned its fifth NCAA Tournament bid and first since 2001. A 3-pointer by Edmead gave Hofstra a 64-58 lead with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. Monmouth battled back and got within 66-65 on a 3 by Justin Ray with 1:18 left. Hofstra’s German Plotnikov hit a jumper for a 69-65 lead and two free throws by Edmead made it 71-65 with 14 seconds left. Kavion McClains’ four-point play made it interesting at 71-69, but he missed his next 3-point attempt and Hofstra locked up the automatic bid with four free throws down the stretch.
Preston Edmead scores 26 points and Hofstra wins CAA tourney to end 25-year NCAA Tournament drought
