ATLANTA (AP) — Charles Jenkins scored 28 points to lead Hofstra to a 79-68 victory over Georgia State on Wednesday night.

The Pride (16-9, 10-4 Colonial Athletic Association) led by 18 points early in the second half before the Panthers rallied. Georgia State (10-14, 5-9) cut the Pride's lead to 74-68 on Eric Buckner's two free throws with 1:37 left. But Hofstra thwarted the rally with five final free throws.

Jenkins, the conference's reigning player of the year, played before a crowd that included 30 NBA scouts. He made 10 of 15 shots from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and led the Pride to their eighth win in nine meetings with Georgia State.

Jihad Ali led the Panthers with 19 points. Georgia State outrebounded Hofstra 39-28, but couldn't cash the extra opportunities into points. Hofstra made one more field goal than Georgia State (28-27) despite taking eight fewer shots (63-55).