PHILADELPHIA – For the 14th time in program history, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team claimed the Hawk Classic title, holding off a late push for a 73-66 win over Delaware at Hagan Arena during the 31st edition of the Hawk Classic presented by Jersey Mike's.

 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Gabby Casey (MOP), Saint Joseph's
Aleah Snead, Saint Joseph's
Rhian Stokes, Saint Joseph's
Ella Wanzer, Delaware
Monique Mitchell, Akron
Sierra Linnin, Le Moyne

 
FIRST QUARTER

• Rhian Stokes snapped a two-minute scoreless drought to open the game, scoring on a coast-to-coast drive.
• Delaware responded with eight of the next 10 points to take an 8-4 lead midway through the quarter.
• Trailing 14-11, the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run behind four different scorers. Cecilia Kay capped the run, giving Saint Joseph's a 22-16 lead entering the second quarter.

 
SECOND QUARTER

• 3-pointers from Stokes and Emily Knouse jumpstarted an 8-2 run, pushing the Hawks' lead to 30-18 at the media timeout.
• Delaware clawed its way back into the game, cutting the lead to six with under two minutes to play to force head coach Cindy Griffin into a timeout.
• A 3-pointer from Aleah Snead and a last-second step-back jumper from Casey sent the Hawks into the break with a 41-32 lead.

 
THIRD QUARTER

• An 8-1 run over a 2:21 span allowed the visitors to cut the Hawks' advantage to 42-40.
• Delaware tied the game at 42-42 as the teams traded baskets coming out of the break.
• Casey knocked down her third 3-pointer of the game, while Snead's free throws in the final minute extended the Hawks' lead to seven entering the fourth quarter.

 
FOURTH QUARTER

• Snead and Casey combined for back-to-back buckets, countering a quick four points to start the quarter from Delaware.
• The Fightin' Blue Hens used a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game with 4:25 remaining before Aleah Snead answered with an and-one.
• Casey's fifth assist of the game found Faith Stinson under the hoop with an expiring shot clock as the senior was able to finish and push the lead to two possessions.
• Leading by two with under 30 seconds remaining, a long 3-pointer from Casey clanged off the back iron before Snead outjumped her defender to secure the offensive rebound. The junior found Jill Jekot cutting to the basket and the sophomore finished through contact and made the free throw to all but seal the win as the Hawks pulled away for a 73-66 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Gabby Casey led all scorers with 19 points, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals over the two games.
• Rhian Stokes made an appearance on the All-Tournament Team after finishing the championship game with 17 points while shooting 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. The sophomore added five rebounds and two assists in the win.
• Aleah Snead was the final Hawk to earn a spot on the tournament team, adding 14 points, six rebounds and five assists against Delaware.
• Jill Jekot (8) and Faith Stinson (6) combined for 14 points. The Hawk bench added nine points after producing a season-high 49 points in the win over Le Moyne.
• Delaware finished the game with an efficient 29-for-57 (50.9%) performance from the field. Delaware was just 3-for-12 (25.0%) from 3-point range. 42 of the 66 points for Delaware came in the paint, tied for the most by an opponent against the Hawks this season.
• The Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak when an opponent shot better than 50 percent from the field, last achieved in a 77-67 win over Massachusetts on Feb. 3, 2024 despite a 51.8% outing from the Minutewomen.
• Saint Joseph's finished 26-for-61 (42.6%) from the floor, assisting on 21 of the 26 made field goals. The Hawks were limited to just 7-for-25 (28.0%) from 3-point range but were able to knock down 14 of their 18 free throws for a 77.8 percent clip.
• The 20 fastbreak points were a season-high for the Hawks. St. Joe's converted 16 Delaware turnovers into 25 points.
• The Hawks improved to 1-3 this season when tied or trailing in the final five minutes.
• Saint Joseph's won the Hawk Classic for the 14th time and improved to 2-1 against Delaware in the tournament. The Hawks are now 13-2 all-time against the Fightin' Blue Hens.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's closes out its non-conference schedule with a doubleheader with the men's basketball team, taking on Arcadia on Sunday, Dec. 28. Tip Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m