Hempstead, NY - The La Salle University Men's Basketball team showed incredible resiliency - mounting a series of small comebacks - but ultimately faded and was defeated by Hofstra, 79-69, in a non-conference affair at the Hofstra Arena.

Junior Steven Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) overcame a variety of obstacles - slow start, incessant double teams, fatigue - to equal a career high with 27 points. He also collected nine rebounds to narrowly miss his first double-double of the season.

The relentless Explorers (0-2) forged ahead early in the second half, taking a three-point lead, but Hofstra (2-0) went back in front and didn't so much as slam the door, but slowly closed it, bucket by bucket, until the game was out of reach. Sophomore Loren Stokes paced the Pride with 20 points.

With a short bench, the Explorers knew they would need production from players not-named Steven Smith, and they certainly got it. Jermaine Thomas (Fredrick, MD/Thomas Jefferson) contributed 16 points, and Mike St. John (Northboro, MA/River School), added 12 points and 8 rebounds in a big effort down low.

The Explorers out-rebounded the Pride/Flying Dutchmen 32-30, as each team registered 16 offensive rebounds.

The first half was a series of isolated battles. Hofstra sprinted to a 26-11 lead at the outset, but the Explorers mirrored that with a 24-11 run of their own. Jermaine Thomas led the Explorers with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Sophomore Sean Neal (Springfield, MA/Salisbury School) came off the bench and contributed three points and three assists.

The Explorers will break for Thanksgiving before getting back into action next Tuesday, November 30th when they host USC at Tom Gola Arena. The game is scheduled for a 7:05 PM tip-off.