Dec. 5, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's-Villanova rivalry added another classic to its already deep history on Thursday evening at the Gallagher Center. Playing a record-setting three overtimes, the Hawks' women's basketball team topped the Wildcats, 66-57, as SJU outscored Villanova 9-0 in the third extra frame to pull out the thrilling victory. Saint Joseph's juniors Mariame Djouara and Brittany Ford combined for 56 of the Hawks' points, with Djouara scoring a career-best 32 points as SJU to improved to 2-0 in the Big 5 and 4-3 on the year.

The Hawks jumped out to a 60-57 edge in the third stanza on the lone three pointer of the game from Jenna Loschiavo at the 3:09 mark. Djouara converted on 2-of-4 free throws over the next 1:18 to give SJU a 62-57 advantage with 1:51 left in the third overtime.

Villanova's Maria Getty's three pointer in the Wildcats' next possession was off the mark, but the Wildcats kept the ball alive only to have Lisa Karcic miss a three point attempt.

Djouara would grab the defensive rebound and make a pair of foul shots at the other end to all but seal the victory. Loschiavo and junior guard Amy Gillespie would each add a free throw as Djouara grabbed a final defensive rebound and dribbled out the clock.

Saint Joseph's, which led for just 4:23 of the first 30 minutes and trailed 20-17 at the half, found itself down 40-33 with 7:12 remaining in the game. From there, the Hawks would go on a 10-2 run over the next 6:16 as Djouara gave SJU a 43-42 lead on a jump shot in the lane with :56 seconds remaining.

After getting a defensive stop, Hawks' senior guard Mary Kate McDade was fouled, setting up a 1-and-1. After having the ball roll around and in on her first attempt to give SJU 44-42 edge, McDade's second free throw was off the mark, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie or take the lead.

Villanova's Laura Kurz got the ball deep into the paint, and hoisted up a contended layup with: 04 seconds left, but the ball was off the mark. However, Kurz stayed with the ball and was fouled as she went up with the put back. Kurz's second shot was off the mark, but she made both free throws to force overtime.

In the first overtime, the Wildcats took a 48-44 edge quickly behind layups by Kurz and Karcic.

Saint Joseph's answered as Djouara drained a jumper and McDade and Ford each added a free throw.

With the game ties at 48, the Hawks took their first lead of the overtime, 50-48, on a ford jumper in the paint with :58 seconds left.

Again Villanova (3-4, 1-2 Big 5) answered to tie the score at 50, this time on a Kurz jump shot with :45 seconds left.

Both teams would have a chance to take the lead, but neither could convert, giving SJU the ball at the opposite end of the court with :02 seconds left. On the inbounds, Kurz stepped in front of a "Hail Mary" pass at half court and appeared to have a clear lane to the basket. Hustling back from the opposite wing, Ford flew across the lane and swatted the shot out of bounds as the buzzer went.

In the second overtime, Djouara drained a jump shot in SJU's first possession, but the Wildcats answered back with six straight points, taking a 56-52 lead on a three pointer by Tia Grant with 2:20 left.

The Hawks refused to yield, and answered back with five straight points, taking a 57-56 lead on a driving layup by Djouara with :08 seconds left.

With a victory in its sights, Saint Joseph's couldn't get a key rebound off a Villanova miss. Maria Getty's shot with :02 seconds left was off the mark, but Karcic got the rebound and was fouled with :00.3 seconds left on the clock. With an opportunity to win the game for her team, Karcic missed the front end, but made the second to tie the game and force the third overtime frame.

For the game, Saint Joseph's went 25-of-68 from the field (36.8 percent) 2-of-9 from three-point range and 14-of-24 from the foul line (58.3 percent). At the other end, Villanova shot 23-of-68 from the floor (33.8 percent), 6-of-31 from behind the arc (19.4 percent) and 5-of-8 from the foul line (62.5 percent). The Hawks were out rebounded 49-41, but caused 23 Wildcat turnovers to just 13 for SJU. The game also marked the first triple overtime contest in Saint Joseph's program history.

Individually, Djouara's 32 points are the highest since Ayahna Cornish tallied 35 at Dayton on February 17, 2007. Djouara finished 13-of-30 from the field, including 1-of-2 from three-point range and 5-of-7 from the foul line and added six rebounds and three assists. Ford tallied 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 4-of-7 from the line and added six rebounds and a game-high three blocks. Loschiavo, who played a SJU record 55 minutes, score five points to go with five rebounds and two assists, while McDaded grabbed a team-best nine rebounds and had six assists. Gillespie went 1-of-2 from the line for one point and grabbed seven rebounds, while junior forward Ashley Logue rounded out the scoring with two points.

Kurz was the lone Wildcat in double figures, scoring 28 points and adding 14 rebounds.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Saturday at Hartford. Game time is set for a 1 p.m. tip and will be televised live on NESN.

***Photos from tonight's game are available on www.sidephotos.com