Feb. 28, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Backed by 42 points from its senior class, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team topped Duquesne, 69-58, in the Hawks' regular-season finale Sunday at Michael J. Hagan Arena. The victory improved the Hawks to 9-5 in Atlantic 10 play and a likely fifth-seed in next week's Atlantic 10 Tournament.

After charging out to a 34-25 halftime edge, Saint Joseph's slowly saw its lead disappear. The Dukes used an 11-0 run midway through the second half to go from down 49-39, to up 50-49 on a pair of free throws by Samantha Polino at 8:21.

Saint Joseph's senior guard Mariame Djouara halted her team's offensive skid, knocking down a pair of free throws to regain the lead. The free throws sparked an 11-2 run by the Hawks, with another set of free throws by Djouara giving the Hawks a 60-52 advantage with 4:19 left to go.

Duquesne cut the deficit to four, 62-58, with 2:17 remaining in the game, but a layup by SJU freshman guard Shelby Smith and a short jumper by senior guard Amy Gillespie in the Hawks' next possessions sealed the win and moved Saint Joseph's to 16-13 overall.

In the opening half, a 9-0 run over a two-minute span lifted SJU to a 22-10 advantage. The Hawks allowed the Dukes to come within 26-21, but finished with an 8-6 run to cap the opening frame and take a 34-25 lead into the final 20 minutes.

Individually, Djouara led the Hawks with 17 points, with senior forward Brittany Ford adding 11 points three blocks and seven rebounds. Senior center Ashley Logue added a game-high 10 rebounds to go with 9 points, while Gillespie added five points in her final game at Hawk Hill. Smith handed out four assists to go with four points as all 10 Hawks who saw action scored at least two points.

At the other end, Keri Pryor led the Dukes with 21 points, with Polino adding 18 as Duquesne falls to 19-10 and 9-5 in conference play.

Should Saint Joseph's finish in fifth, the Hawks will face either La Salle or Fordham at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

OF NOTE: Saint Joseph's honored its first NCAA Tournament team the 1984-85 Hawks, during halftime of the game...The Saint Joseph's women's basketball head coach's office was also dedicated for Jim Foster, the Hawks' coach from 1978-91.