DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team tallied its third-straight win, Talya Brugler's career mark of 34 points propelling the Hawks past Davidson 72-56 in a Wednesday night showdown inside of Belk Arena.
 
St. Joe's moves to 18-7 on the season, 8-5 in Atlantic 10 play. Davidson falls to 12-13 (5-6 A-10) in the loss.
 
Brugler, who previously set her career-high earlier this season with 27 points against Wright St., was remarkable, hitting at a clip of 14-17 (82.4%) on the night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• St. Joe's grabbed a quick 6-0 run to start the game, Talya Brugler scoring six of the first eight points for the Hawks to open the game at 8-2.
• The Wildcats responded with a 7-0 run to counter a 10-2 Hawk advantage to cut the deficit heading into the media timeout.
• Brugler once again called her number to score her 10^th point of the first quarter, equaling the Wildcats 14-14. Mackenzie Smith and Olivia Mullins helped the Hawks capture four of the final six points to take a first quarter lead.
• A pair of triples from Julia Nyström got the Hawks started in the second frame en route to an 8-0 run over the first 2:39 of the quarter to extend the advantage.
• The lead grew to 14 midway through the frame after Laura Ziegler connected on a three, followed by a pair of Brugler free throws pushed the score to 34-20.
• Brugler kept the strong first half going, scrambling as the shot clock was expiring and forcing a shot up from six feet behind the arc. The shot rattled the inside of the rim and fell through to give her 17 points. A 5-2 run to end the half gave St. Joe's a 15 point, 42-27 lead.
• Both sides traded blows coming out of the break, neither team scoring more than five points without a response. The Hawks were able to maintain a 57-42 advantage heading into the final frame.
• Jaden Walker extended the lead to 17 to start the fourth, but the Wildcats began chipping away. As the Hawks began to go cold, Davidson took advantage by cutting the lead to as few as seven with under five minutes later.
• The Hawks turned to none other than Brugler, calming the storm with her 29^th point of the game to end a Davidson run. Moments later, Brugler entered 30+ territory to extend the lead back to 13 points, before capping off her night with an and-one at the rim with 12 seconds remaining, the Hawks holding on for their third-straight victory in 72-56 fashion.

 
GAME NOTES

• Talya Brugler finished 8-9 in the first half for 21 points. The sophomore finished 14-17 from the floor, tallying a career-high 34 points in the win.
• Brugler nearly outscored the Wildcats at the break, scoring 21 points to Davidson's 27.
• St. Joe's shot 16-23 (69.6%) in the first half. The Hawks finished 30-51 on the evening, converting at a rate of 58.8% from the floor. Only against GW (60.5%) have the Hawks shot at a higher clip.
• Mackenzie Smith and Julia Nyström finished with nine points apiece, Smith adding six rebounds in the win.
• Laura Ziegler neared yet another double-double, the freshman falling just shy with seven points and nine rebounds.
• St. Joe's outrebounded Davidson 35-19, a +16 advantage on the night.
• The Hawks are now 10-1 all-time against the Wildcats.
• St. Joe's have recorded its most wins since the 2017-18 season, that squad finishing 19-15 with a WNIT appearance.

 
UP NEXT

• The Hawks return home for a Sunday clash against league-leaders Rhode Island. The Hawks and Rams are set for a 2 p.m. tip on February 19 inside Hagan Arena.