PHILADELPHIA, November 26, 2011 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks had a doubleheader in basketball at the Hagan Arena featuring the women’s team followed by the men’s squad. It was an SJU sweep at the women’s team started the day grinding out a win against the Sacred Heart Pioneers 63 – 54. The men’s team took the court later in the day and came away with a 65 – 47 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions.
MEN’S BASKETBALL – SAINT JOSEPH’S 65 PENN STATE 47
Saint Joseph’s started the game with a 22 – 0 run to take command beating the Penn State. The run started with a three-pointer by Sophomore Center C.J. Aiken. Over six and a half minutes later Junior Guard Carl Jones made a three to give the Hawks the 22 point lead. In between Sophomore Guard Langston Galloway poured in 10 points. Penn State missed their first 17 shots finally getting on the scoreboard with 11:27 left in the half when Forward Ross Travis threw down a dunk.
“For the start of the game you want to get the home crowd into it and put doubt in Penn State,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Phil Martelli. “It’s their first true road game. But I liked the fact that we only had 5 turnovers in the first half.”
After their initial outburst Saint Joseph’s went without a basket until Sophomore Forward Ronald Roberts converted a three-point play that gave his team a 26 – 5 lead. Saint Joseph’s took a 33 – 10 lead into halftime. Penn State made only 4 of 38 field goal attempts for 10.5% shooting. In the second half Penn State got no closer than 16 points on three occasions.
Galloway led the Hawks in scoring with 17 points and he added 7 rebounds. Aiken had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. Saint Joseph’s had 12 blocked shots in the game. Nine players scored for the Hawks. Forward Billy Oliver scored 12 points to lead Penn State and Travis added 10. Penn State leading scorer Tim Frazier scored 8 second half points. He did have 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
Saint Joseph’s improves to 4 – 2 on the season. The Hawks meet Drexel at home on November 30.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – SAINT JOSEPH’S 63 SACRED HEART 54
The Saint Joseph’s Women’s team bounced back after a loss to nationally ranked Maryland, and handed Sacred Heart their first loss of the season. It was not easy. Saint Joseph’s led 43 – 42 on two free throws by Junior Guard Ashley Prim with 12:10 remaining in the game. Neither team would score for nearly 4 minutes when Senior Forward Kelly Cavallo converted a traditional three-point play giving the Hawks a 46 – 42 lead. Saint Joseph’s took advantage of three straight turnovers by Sacred Heart to take a 54 – 42 lead with 5:14 on the clock. It was the largest lead of the game for Saint Joseph’s. The Pioneers would get no closer than 7 the rest of the way.
“We got them back on their heels,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin. “We thrive on that, making stops. We were persistent.”
Saint Joseph’s went inside for offense as the Hawks had a 32 – 20 advantage in Points in the Paint, and out-rebounded the opposition 43 – 34. Senior Forward Samira Van Grinsven scored 10 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. Cavallo scored 7 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore Guard Kasie Parker had 10 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore Guard Erin Shields scored a team-high 12 points as she made 4 free throws down the stretch. Shields added 3 assists.
Sacred Heart Guard Ericka Norman scored a game-high 13 points. Guard Blair Konisewski had 11 including a game-high 3 baskets from beyond the arc. FOrward Callon Taylor rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 and secured 9 rebounds.
Saint Joseph’s prepares for a November 29 home game against Drexel. The Hawks played without Senior Guard Katie Kuester due to injury, and got limited minutes from Sophomore Forward Ashley Robinson. Kuester is expected to play against Drexel.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
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