PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/8/2020 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks met a Duquesne Dukes squad looking to go 3 – 0 in the Atlantic 10 for the fourth time in their 43 seasons in the league. The Dukes did so behind a stellar defensive effort defeating the Hawks 78 – 60 at the Hagan Arena
Duquesne 3rd in Atlantic 10 in both scoring and field goal percentage defense. The Dukes held the Hawks to 28.8% shooting their season-low. From the three-point line Saint Joe’s converted only 5 of 35. The total was 2 of 11 in the first half.
“I was pleased with the quality of shots we got in the first half,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Billy Lange. “Our open looks were good, you just have to make them. That’s basketball. If you’re doing the right things and you’re missing, that can be dispiriting. But that’s where we have to continue to grow.”
Leading SJU scorer Ryan Daly was held to 3 points, one shy of his season low. He did not score his first basket until the 10:29 mark of the second half.
“We need Ryan to make plays,” Lange said. “Credit Duquesne for closing the lane and forcing him to kick it.”
“They did a good job of collapsing on Ryan and they were willing to live with other people taking open looks.”
It looked like the Dukes defenders were usually in the right position.
Cameron Brown was a bright spot scoring a career-high 17 points.
“I was really proud of Cam Brown’s effort,” Lange said. “This is two games in a row that he’s come into Atlantidc 10 competition and has been terrific, coming in with confidence, making shots . If we can keep that going, it’s a positive trend for us.”
Lorenzo Edwards pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds and scored 11 points. This was his first double-double of the season. Myles Douglas added 12 points.
Saint Joseph’s did win the rebounding stat 51 – 38, 26 – 8 off the offensive glass. But there were a lot of rebounds to be had.
Offensively, the Dukes made half of their shots, 30 of 60, and 8 of 27 from beyond the arc. Marcus Weathers, the team leader in scoring got 15 in the game. Three other players posted double-digits with Sincere Carry getting 14, Baylee Steele 12 and Maceo Austin contributing 11 points.
The 13 – 2 record is the best start for the Dukes since the 1971-72 season, and will stay on the road going to George Washington on Sunday.
Saint Joseph’s is 0 – 3 in the league (3 – 11 overall). Next up for SJU is a game at Davidson on Saturday. The Hawks will shoulder on, learning from each game.
“You can’t let your spirit get broken,” Lange said.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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