SJU Takes down Nova!
Walking into Hagan arena, you could feel the atmosphere heating up. The student section was full of college kids in hard hats and jam packed an hour before tip off. The Hawks haven’t beaten Villanova at home since 2011 and they were due for a win! From the opening tip off, both teams looked to get right to it! It was a game of runs and it came down to who wanted it more! The Hawks and Wildcats started off the first half pretty evenly. They traded buckets early on, probing and prodding. From one of the Wildcats first possessions they tried to set the tone of the game when Wooga Popular tried to jam it over the Hawks big man, Justice Ajogbor.
SJU settled into a groove towards the end of the first half and closed it with a big bucket from sophomore guard, Xzavier Brown to put the Hawks up 37 to 36. The Hawks came out on fire in the 2nd half with great ball pressure and forced the Wildcats into some costly turnovers. The Hawks jumped out to a 15 - 0 run and the crowd went crazy! The Hawks fed off the Hawk Hill faithful all night long. Villanova didn’t go down without a fight as they went on a run of their own and cut into the Hawks big lead. Wooga Popular hit a 3 to cut the Hawks lead to 57 to 56. In The end, SJU had an answer for everything the Wildcats threw at them and would not be denied! The Hawks win with a final score of 76 to 83.
Hawks Win!
On March 2nd, 2024, the Hawks of Saint Joseph's University faced off against the Rams of Fordham University at Hagan Arena. The team spirit and unity among the Hawks was very evident as they stepped onto the court. Their pre-game warm-up routine showcased their strong chemistry. The music was blasting, heads were bobbing and you could feel the good vibes between their players. They felt light and carefree yet focused on the task at hand. Throughout the game, the team displayed an excellent balance of focus and ease, demonstrating their cohesiveness and determination as a unit. Coming together as a team is one of the hardest things to do in sports. This group of men, have the right mindset and temperament to go far.
Kasper Klaczek of SJU dominated throughout the night with an exceptional performance. He played a pivotal role in driving the Hawks to a quick lead early in the game. Klaczek delivered an impressive stat line of 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, highlighting his versatility. The Hawks displayed remarkable teamwork, by keeping the ball moving on every possession. They consistently found the open man and made the extra pass which lead to scores more often than not. Freshman stud, Xzayvier Brown kept the Hawks rolling in the second half. He picked his spots and got to the basket at will. Guards Lynn Greer III, Cameron Brown and Erik Reynolds II added to the balanced attack of the team with all 3 hitting critical buckets to keep the momentum on the Hawks side. They took care of business and got the win with a final score of 69 to 82!
The Hawk Never Dies!
THE HAWK NEVER DIES
On Saturday, February 10th, 2024, the Hawks of Saint Joseph’s University faced off against the visiting Billikens of Saint Louis in a highly charged atmosphere, resulting in a thrilling game. The Hawks initially took control of the game in the 1st half, but the Billikens maintained close proximity throughout the game. Sophomore Sincere Parker played a pivotal role for the Billikens, showcasing an impressive performance with 34 points, skillfully maneuvering around the defense. The Hawks demonstrated resilience and determination as the lead changed hands multiple times in the final 5 minutes of the 2nd half. A10 Rookie of the week, Xzavier Brown, led the Hawks to victory with 27 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, ultimately securing the win with a crucial free-throw and steal. The Hawks triumphed over the Billikens with a score of 87-86, bringing their season record to 16-8. Here are some of my favorite moments from the game!
