ESPN Men's Basketball

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Charles Jenkins scored 32 points and had eight assists as Hofstra defeated George Mason 87-74 on Wednesday night to move into first place in the Colonial Athletic Association.

The Pride (9-5, 3-0), who had lost five straight against the Patriots (10-4, 2-1), led 39-35 at halftime. George Mason scored the first eight points of the second half to briefly take the lead.

But the Pride answered with a 14-0 run, during which exactly half its points came from Jenkins, who made 9 of 13 shots from the field and 7 of 8 in the second half. The spurt put Hofstra ahead to stay and ended with the Pride leading 53-43.

Hofstra built the lead to 17 and George Mason never recovered. Coupled with Georgia State's loss to North Carolina-Wilmington, the Pride is alone in first place, the only team unbeaten in conference play.

The Patriots were led by Ryan Pearson's 22 points.