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It’s called March Madness for a reason!
Deer Park native Preston Edmead banked in a game-winning three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Hofstra past Towson, 68–65, in the CAA semifinals.
“The time was ticking down and I pulled up. When it went in, it was like a dream come true,” Edmead said with a huge smile after the game. “You pray for moments like these.”
The moment was 20 seconds in the making.
After Towson tied the score at 65 in overtime, Edmead took the inbounds pass and pushed the ball up the court. Hofstra had one timeout remaining but chose not to use it. Following a quick glance at head coach Speedy Claxton, Edmead found his spot from about 25 feet out and launched an off-balance shot with a defender in his face.
The ball kissed the backboard, clipped the rim and dropped through for the game-winner.
“Preparation means opportunity,” said Edmead. “I got the opportunity and my preparation showed why.”
Edmead finished with a team-high 22 points, adding another milestone to what has been a remarkable freshman season. He earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors seven times during the regular season and was named CAA Rookie of the Year last Friday — becoming Hofstra’s first player to win the award since Charles Jenkins in 2008.
The Pride advance to the CAA championship game Tuesday night against Monmouth, with the winner securing an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
Hofstra last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2020, though the event was canceled due to the pandemic. Before that, the program’s most recent appearance came in 2001.
Now, Edmead says there’s only one thing on his mind.
“It’s time to wipe this game from our memory. It was fun while it lasted but we have to focus on the next game.”
Game photos
Photos by Joe Orovitz of Hofstra
Top: Hofstra celebrating the semifinal victory over Towson. (Credit: Joe Orovitz/Hofstra)
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