The Hawks Sweep the Season Series Against the Explorers, Finish Third in the Atlantic 10
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 3/7/2026 –
Winning by one at halftime the Saint Joseph’s Hawks used a strong second half to propel past the La Salle Explorers to take an 88 – 76 victory at the Hagan Arena. It concludes the regular season. St. Joe’s ended the season on a six-game winning streak, and finished in sole possession of third place in the Atlantic 10. Justice Ajogbor set a career-high scoring 20 points to lead the Hawks who had three other players score in double figures. Derek Simpson scored 16 points and handed out 9 assists. Rob Dockery posted a game-best 25 points for the Explorers. For Saint Joseph’s this victory was earned.
“That was a hard game,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Steve Donahue. “It’s a team that’s your rival in the city. You beat them at their place and now I thought they were fired up to play, and they played really hard. We answered the call at different times and that’s something we’ve done consistently this year.”
The Second Half Story
The Hawks made 14 of 24 second half shots (58,3%), 5 of 11 from deep, while holding La Salle to just under 35% (15 of 43). But it was the free throw line that provided the Hawks the advantage making 20 of 31 in the latter 20 minutes while La Salle went to the line 12 times making 8 free throws. St. Joe’s won the second half 53 – 42. And turned the ball over only twice.
The Critical Run
With just over nine minutes to play in the second half the Explorers cut the deficit to 57 – 54 on a three-point play by Nas Hart. The Hawks responded by going on a 16 – 4 run to take a 73 – 58 lead with 4:41 on the clock.. Ajogbor, Jaiden Glover-Toscano, and Austin Williford keyed the run on offense. The Explorers missed 8 shots in the stretch, 4 layups, one of which was blocked by Ajogbor. And the Blue and Gold were off on 3 of 4 foul shots.
“We missed too many rim shots, and they’re good in transition,” said La Salle Coach Darris Nichols. “If you miss rim shots it’s five on four, it’s an open three, and they get you in rotation. The discouraging part was how many rim shots we missed.”
What the Numbers Say
Dockery shot 8 of 14 from the field, 4 of 5 from three-point land, and converted 5 of 8 free throws. He also took down 7 rebounds. This is the 6th twenty-point game for the red-shirt sophomore. Truth Harris scored 13 points while Eric Acker and Jaden Johnson added 12 points. Hart grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds.
For the Hawks Glover-Toscano and Williford contributed 15 and 13 points. Simpson and Dasear Haskins each grabbed a team-high tying 7 boards.
End of the Regular Season
There is more basketball to be played, the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Pittsburgh. The Hawks (21 – 10, 13 – 5) will go to the Steel City as the third seed behind St. Louis and VCU. This is the highest seed for SJU since 2005. What is next for the Hawks?
“This what you play for, to get in this position, win three games in March, and get to the tournament,” Donahue said. “That’s where my focus is.”
La Salle concludes the year with a 9 -22 record, 5 – 13 in conference to tie for 11th place. They will be the 12 seed as they lost to Richmond in head-to-head play. La Salle came into this season with a new coach and one player who was on the team last season. The final chapter has yet to be written, but this is what Nichols sees to this point.
“We got another at least game left in us,” Nichols said. “Everybody wants to know what you are going to do next. That’s my message is to try and enjoy where we are, and let them enjoy where we are.”
Senior Day
Prior to the game Saint Joseph’s honored Justice Ajogbor and Derek Simpson in the Senior Day celebration. The players recall their career and this year thusly.
“It’s unique with the things that gone on year,” said Simpson. “It allowed us to grow together. We’re in a blessed position right now. It’s a great university and we’re going to represent it as much as we can.”
“This year I remember where we started, and I didn’t know what kind of year I would have,” Ajogbor said. “To see how far we’ve come is special. To do it with the guys that would be with me, it makes my experience better. And I will remember that for the rest of my life.”
Ajogbor will finish his career in the top-10 for blocked shots at the school. He presently sixth in program history with 155 blocks.
Pittsburgh is next! Stay tuned.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com
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