Hofstra had four players score in double figures and used a relentless pressure defense to coast to a 74-57 win in its Colonial Athletic Association tournament quarterfinal against James Madison on Saturday at Royal Farms Arena.
Center Moussa Kone posted the tournament's first double double (18 points and 11 rebounds), while forward Ameen Tanksley added 16 points for fifth-seeded Hofstra. First-team All-CAA guard Juan'ya Green had 10 points and eight assists before the announced crowd of 3,762.
Fourth-seeded James Madison, who hadn't lost to a conference opponent outside the top four this season, were hurt by a poor shooting afternoon. The Dukes finished 32 percent from the field in the first half and 37 percent overall. Hofstra outscored them in the paint 46-28.
James Madison coach Matt Brady credited the Pride's pressure defense, which was the result of a weeklong challenge from coach Joe Mihalich.
"The battle cry all week was that we had to be a better defensive team, and I thought clearly we were today," Mihalich said. "Our toughness showed through. ... We guarded great."
After a tight opening 10 minutes, Hofstra quickly assured itself of a semifinal date Sunday with top-seeded William & Mary.
Down 20-15 with just over 11 minutes to play in the first half, the Pride went on a 22-4 run over the next 6:38. The Dukes scored nine of the half's final 12 points to enter halftime down 39-33.
Tanksley had nine of his 16 points in the first half, while James Madison's Dimitrije Cabarkapa had all 12 of his points in the opening 20 minutes to lead all scorers at the half.
James Madison never got closer than the six-point halftime deficit, and after pulling within eight after a four-point run by leading scorer Ron Curry, trailed by at least 10 the rest of the way.
Curry led James Madison with 18 points, while guard Jackson Kent added seven points in the loss. Rokas Gustys had 11 points for Hofstra, and guard Dion Nesmith added nine for the Pride.