MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's men's team turned in a winning effort at home on Wednesday, topping Rider by a 4-2 score at the SJU Tennis Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hawks secured the doubles point with wins in the first two flights.  Othman Bezzaz and Ernesto Ruy took their top-flight match while Matthew Dubas and Santiago Valle were winners in the second flight.
 
• In singles play, Bezzaz made quick work of his fifth-flight opponent while Ruy rallied from a set down to take his second-flight match.  Valle also won a three-setter in the third as the Hawks took three singles matches to clinch the required points.
 
HAWK TALK
"The men came out and took care of business today," head coach Jeff Puhan said.  "The elements were tough, but we got through.  Ernesto and Santiago keep impressing.
 
Time to get ready for the Bonnies and Flyers; looking forward to this weekend!"
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks head to St. Bonaventure for a match with the Bonnies on Friday before meeting Dayton on Saturday.
 
RESULTS
 
Saint Joseph's 4, Rider 2
 
Doubles
1. Othman Bezzaz / Ernesto Ruy (SJU) def. Matteus Froberg Dahlin / Dhruv Tangri (RID), 6-4
2. Matthew Dubas / Santiago Valle (SJU) def. Giacomo Ghitti / Roger Martinez (RID), 6-2
3. Cooper Dillon / Axel Engstrom (RID) def. Justus Agbo / Matthew Cizmarik (SJU), 6-1
 
Singles
1. Tangri (RID) def. Agbo (SJU), 6-3, 6-4
2. Ruy (SJU) def. Dahlin (RID), 5-7, 7-5, 6-2
3. Valle (SJU) def. Nathan Slattery (RID), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
4. Engstrom (RID) def. Dubas (SJU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Bezzaz (SJU) def. Dillon (RID), 6-3, 6-2
6. Eli Gan-Dy (SJU) led Martinez (RID), 4-2, unfinished