Nov. 18, 2006

Box Score

EASTON, PA - Between good shooting and a balanced scoring attack, the Saint Joseph's men's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the year as the Hawks topped Lafayette, 81-73, at Kirby Sports Center Friday evening.

Saint Joseph's finished 27-of-49 from the floor (55.1 percent) and had five players score in double figures. Rob Ferguson and sophomore Ahmad Nivins led the way for the Hawks, scoring 19 points apiece.

After a back-and-forth opening 14 minutes of play, Saint Joseph's began to pull away. Leading 26-24, the Hawks went on an 18-6 run over the next five minutes, capped by a pair of free throws by freshman Jawan Carter, who finished with a personal best 18 points. SJU would enter the half up 44-32 as it finished 16-of-29 from the floor.

In the second half, Saint Joseph's quickly opened an 18-point lead, and held the same advantage, 60-42, at the 11:11 mark.

However, trailing 76-62, the Leopards fought back to within five, 78-73, with 28 seconds remaining.

But Saint Joseph's hung on as junior Pat Calathes converted three free throws to seal the win. Calathes would finish with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Carter added 18 points. Freshman Garrett Williamson added 11 points off the bench.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday as it hosts Bucknell at 2 p.m.