PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's (8-13, 4-5 A-10) completed the weekend sweep of Davidson (12-10, 3-7 A-10) with a 58-51 victory Sunday afternoon inside Hagan Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- St. Joe's started on a 6-0 run before the Wildcats got on the board at the 5:20 mark. That would remain the score up to the media stoppage at 4:15. SJU pulled ahead with an 8-2 run over the remainder of the stanza to hold a 14-5 lead.
- Davidson cut the deficit over the initial 5:59 of the second with a 10-8 scoring advantage. The Hawks, however, claimed six of the final nine for a 22-15 lead with 4:01 remaining. The 'Cats inched closer with a 5-4 advantage into the half with SJU up, 26-20.
- The Crimson & Gray increased the lead with an 11-7 margin, including a 6-0 run over the final 1:05 into the media break at 4:53 in the third. SJU held a 37-27 lead at that point. Davidson dropped the deficit to six with a 10-6 scoring differential into the fourth. SJU led 43-37.
- A 12-5 Wildcat margin over the initial 8:06 of the final period put the visitors up 49-48. The Hawks quickly regained the lead from a pair of free throws and remained in front the rest of the way thanks to a 10-2 run to finish the game.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Hawks shot 41.9% (18-of-43) overall, 41.2% (7-of-17) from deep, and tied a season best 93.8% (15-of-16) from the line.
- Davidson went 32.7% (18-of-55) from the field, 28.0% (7-of-25) from three-point range, and 88.9% (8-of-9) from the stripe.
- The rebounding margin was tied, while Davidson won the turnover battle (+3).
- Rookie Talya Brugler continued to shine with team highs in points (15) and rebounds (6). She went 5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from long range, and 2-of-2 at the line. The Nazareth, Pa. native added an assist and two steals to her line.
- Freshman Mackenzie Smith posted 11 points for the second-straight game. She corralled five boards and dished out three assists.
- Sophomore Olivia Mullins was clutch for the Hawks down the stretch going 7-of-8 from the line, including a perfect 6-of-6 in the final frame to finish with nine points.
- First year Laila Fair and graduate student Katie Jekot each contributed eight points with the rookie snagging five rebounds and the elder stateswomen handing out four assists.
UP NEXT:
St. Joe's remains home and will welcome Rhode Island to Hagan Arena on Wednesday evening.
