And after Drexel briefly worked a 49-49 tie, Pride guard Charles Jenkins scored the next six points, and the Dragons were finished.
The 6-3 Jenkins, who was the CAA's top scoring freshman with 13.9 points per game before yesterday, totaled 22 points and seven rebounds.
Agudio's last basket gave Hofstra a 57-51 lead with 4:06 left. Pride guard Greg Johnson came up with 20 points, and 6-10 Dane Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Drexel is 9-10 overall and 2-5 in the CAA. Hofstra is 4-12 and 2-5.
For the Dragons, center Frank Elegar gave the team 23 points and 13 rebounds, while guard Tramayne Hawthorne (13) and Scott Rodgers (10) were also in double figures.
"I have to give Hofstra credit," said Drexel coach Bruiser Flint. "They've been losing some tough games, and they toughed themselves to a win today. They needed to make plays, and they did. We didn't."
Agudio, a senior, needed 15 points to become the CAA's 10th-leading all-time scorer. He went into the game averaging 24.6 points.
At the outset, Drexel showed full-court pressure whenever possible. In half court, Agudio was guarded by the 6-3 Rodgers, and 5-10 Jamie Harris drew the assignment against Jenkins. Gerald Colds and reserve guards Hawthorne and Rob Hampton also took their turns on the Pride duo.
While Agudio didn't score a point and appeared frustrated at times as he committed five turnovers during the first 20 minutes, Hofstra still managed to build a 21-12 advantage about midway through the first half.
The 6-9 Elegar, who had nine of his team's first 20 points, used his jump hook to cut the Dragons' deficit to 23-20.
Hofstra's lead was 33-30 with 33.8 seconds showing on the clock, and when Drexel took possession with 13 seconds left, Hawthorne drove the baseline and drew a foul with 1.9 seconds to go.
He made one free throw, and the Dragons were down two points at the break.
Jenkins' nine points tied for a team high with Johnson, who worked inside and sank four of his first five shots.
"I thought the last 10 minutes of the first half, they took the fight out of us," said Hofstra coach Tom Pecora. "For us to win with Antoine scoring six points, some other guys had to step up."
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@hillynews.com.
