The Hawks Men’s and Women’s Teams Fall At Home
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – November 20, 2021
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks put on a double-bill featuring the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Hawks lost both ends. The men’s team dropped an 87 – 75 game to the Monmouth Hawks. In the women’s game Villanova visited Hawk Hill and took home a 55 -39 victory over Saint Joe’s in the initial Big Five game of the season.
Monmouth 87 Saint Joseph’s 75
The Hawks dropped to 2 – 2 on the season in a game that saw Monmouth getting to the basket. The differential in points in the paint was 36 – 14 in the New Jersey Hawks favor. In the second half Monmouth made 19 of 31 shots (61.3%). Inside the arc Monmouth made 16 of 27 (59.2%). For the game the visiting Hawks made just under half their attempts and were good on 22 of 47 in close (46.8%).
Saint Joseph’s stayed in proximity behind the shooting of guard Jordan Hall who scored a career-high 24 points making 7 of 15 from the floor and 4 of 8 from three-point land. Hall converted 6 of 9 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down a season-best 10 rebounds. Taylor Funk added 16 points for the home Hawks who made 36.1% (22 0f 61) from the field and 13 of 37 (35.1%) three-point shooting.
Monmouth had three players score in double figures led by Shavar Reynolds who put in a career-high 25 points, followed by Marcus McClay with a collegiate-best 24 points. George Papas added 16 points. The three players sank only 2 three-pointers each. They combined for 23 of 42 field goal attempts from two-point range. Walker Miller pulled down a career-mark with 12 rebounds.
SJU stayed in the game and kept close in the last five minutes. But the inability to get a series of stops cost Saint Joe’s.
“I never look at it like it’s one area,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Billy Lange. “The stats try to tell you a story, but the game gives you a flow. So we’re not getting back to back tops on some very solid defensive possessions. You have to finish it. That’s part of the growth of a team. You have to do everything harder, stronger, longer, period.”
The team travels to Los Angeles for a game against USC in the Paycom Wooden Legacy Tournament on Thanksgiving Day. Georgetown awaits in the Tournament the day after.
Villanova 55 Saint Joseph’s 39
In the first Big Five game of the season Villanova was missing leader Maddy Siegrist due to a hand injury. Others stepped up most notably Lior Garzon who rewrote her record book in the victory. Garzon set a new career-best in points in a single game getting 26 points. Garzon made 8 of 15 from the floor, setting her personal record for made field goals in a game. She sank 9 of 10 from the line, setting a collegiate-best for made free throws. Garzon tied her assist record dishing out 3 assists. It was especially rewarding for Garzon who set her scoring record in front of her mother who is visiting from Israel. But Garzon saw this game as a Villanova victory.
“It was a team win today,” Garzon said. “We all stepped up to take Maddy’s spot,” said Garzon.
The Wildcats defense limited the Hawks to 25% shooting (13 of 52). The fourth quarter saw the Cats give up 1 field goal.
Brianna Herlihy scored 6 points, but tied her Villanova career-best 12 rebounds. Bella Runyan led the defense with 3 of the 11 steals tying a career-best. The Nova freshman contributed to the score sheet with Lucy Olsen scoring 7 points and Kaitlyn Orihel netting 6 points.
Freshman Mackenzie Smith headed the Hawks with 8 points. Fellow first-year player Tayla Brugler pulled down a collegiate-best 8 rebounds.
“From the offensive standpoint we have to have our head up and know what’s going on around us, see the open guy, and get some easy baskets,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin.
Villanova (1 – 2) gets its first win of the new season after losses to Princeton and Maryland. The Cats continue its Big Five slate of games going to the Palestra on Monday for a game with Penn.
“It’s been a tough start, but we put the schedule together for a reason,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “We felt like if we continued to progress throughout the week, like we were, we would have a chance today.”
Saint Joseph’s plays in the Van Chancellor Classic over Thanksgiving weekend for games against Old Dominion, Stetson, and Ball State.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment