Rasheer Fleming scored 19 points and Xzayvier Brown added a career-best 13 assists to go with 18 points as Saint Joseph's men's basketball team downed Villanova, 83-76, in the Hawks' Big 5 opener on Tuesday at Hagan Arena.

How It Happened
• Saint Joseph's jumped out to an early 14-8 lead on a three-pointer by Fleming at 13:53.
• A Jhamir Brickus three-pointer capped a 10-0 run for Villanova as the Wildcats opened a 29-21 advantage.
• The Hawks battled back as Brown beat the first-half buzzer with a three-pointer to pull St. Joe's to within 37-26 after 20 minutes.
• Falling behind 42-38 early in the second period, Saint Joseph's scored 15 straight points as two free throws from Fleming gave the Hawks a 53-42 lead. 
• Villanova answered back as the Wildcats retook the lead, 60-59, on a layup by Wooga Poplar with 6:38 to play.
• Brown responded for the Hawks as the sophomore scored six straight points to give St. Joe's a 65-60 lead on a jumper at 5:09.
• Saint Joseph's opened a 73-65 advantage, but Villanova wouldn't go away as Brickus brought the Wildcats to within three, 77-74, on a layup with 24 seconds to play.
• Erik Reynolds II quickly found Fleming streaking up the court for a dunk to make it a two-possession game, 79-74.
• After a defensive stop, the Hawks closed out the game at the foul line, going 4-4 in the final moments.
Inside The Boxscore
• Brown tied Bob McNeill for the second-most assists in a game at St. Joe's, one shy of Rap Curry and Tom Haggerty's record of 14.
• Fleming was efficient from the field, going 7-9 from the floor and 4-4 from the foul line.
• Derek Simpson scored 16 points, tied Brown for the team-lead with six rebounds, and handed out four assists.
• Anthony Finkley finished with a career-best 12 points, going 4-6 from behind the arc, and adding four rebounds.
• Reynolds II finished with nine points to go with three assists.
• Justice Ajogbor chipped in with four points, three rebounds and three blocked shots.
• Dasear Haskins and Steven Solano added three points and two points, respectively.
• Saint Joseph's went 22-25 from the foul line, including 19-21 in the second half.

Up Next
The Hawks continue Big 5 play on Friday as they travel to Penn for an 8 p.m. tip at The Palestra.