Men's Basketball Runs away from Hofstra, 71-60

Revs improve record to 3-0; next game is Saturday against New Hampshire at the Smith Center.

November 15, 2023

First-year guard Trey Autry had 10 points and six rebounds in the win against Hofstra. (Peyton Stoike /GW Athletics)

The George Washington University men's basketball team improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2016-2017 season with a defensive showcase against reigning Coastal Athletic Association regular season champion Hofstra, shutting down the Pride in a 71-60 victory.

The Buff & Blue led by six points at intermission, but saw Hofstra close the gap and ultimately take a 53-49 lead with 9:35 remaining. From there, though, GW clamped down on defense and erupted on offense, scoring the next 13 points over the next four minutes.

The Revolutionaries extended the lead to as many as 14 in the waning moments as GW held Hofstra to just seven points on its final 15 possessions of the game, expanding its run to 22-4 over an eight-minute stretch.

The strong defensive effort saw the GW Revs hold Hofstra 24 points below its season average, and limit the Pride to 37% shooting and a paltry 7-of-27 (25.9%) showing from beyond the three-point line.

The highlight of the night came from Auburn transfer Babatunde Akingbola, who swatted two shots and recorded a steal all on one possession with 5:30 left, cementing the Buff & Blue's hold on the game. Akingbola tallied three blocks, two steals and four rebounds on the night.

Balance was the name of the game offensively as GW saw five players score in double figures, led by James Bishop IV's 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Garrett Johnson scored in double figures for the third-straight game with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Maximus Edwards totaled 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

First-year players Darren Buchanan Jr. (10 points, seven rebounds, five assists) and Trey Autry (10 points, six rebounds) added critical baskets and played exemplary defense down the stretch to finish off the Pride.

GW will look for a fourth-straight win, which would be its best start in eight years, on Saturday when it welcomes New Hampshire to the Smith Center. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.