Philadelphia: The Saint Josephs Hawks took on the Albany Great Danes from Hagan Arena on Saturday night after a schedule change. The Hawks came into the game at 0-8 while the Great Danes were 1-4 on the season. The scheduling switch up would be a blessing for the Hawks.
🚨 Schedule Update 🚨
The Hawks have announced the addition of a nationally televised home game against University at Albany this Saturday, January 9. The game, set for a 6 p.m. tip at Hagan Arena, will be nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network. #THWND | #theSTORY pic.twitter.com/JEQp76ZEH3
— SJU Hawks MBB (@SJUHawks_MBB) January 7, 2021
How the game happened:
In the first half, both Saint Josephs & Albany would have their opportunities to take control of the game. The Hawks snuck out to a 23-13 lead with 10:25 left in the half after a 3 pointer by Myles Douglas
.@2MJD__ uses the screen from @antonjansson_1 for a3⃣to extend the Hawks' lead to 10. #THWND | #theSTORY pic.twitter.com/f4bDWnwoa5
— SJU Hawks MBB (@SJUHawks_MBB) January 9, 2021
Albany went on a huge run to tie the game at 26 with 6 minutes left of the half. Saint Josephs would take a narrow 34-33 lead into the break.
One of the question marks going into the second half was whether or not the Hawks keep the balanced scoring attack to get their first win of the season. Albany had something to say about that, rallying to a 56-48 lead with 9 minutes to go, At this point, it looked like another loss in the making for the Hawks…until it didn’t.
Taylor Funk would help lead the Hawks back with this basket & foul that cut into the lead.
Three-point play by @taylor_swishh gets the Hawks to within 59-57 #THWND | #theSTORY pic.twitter.com/BtLVvmCnEZ
— SJU Hawks MBB (@SJUHawks_MBB) January 10, 2021
The Hawks retook the lead with under 2 minutes remaining and despite a golden effort from the Great Danes to force overtime, they came up short. The Hawks had finally found a way to win to the tune of 67-64.
Taylor Funk leadd the Hawks with 14 points while Jordan Hall poured in 13 points.
Postgame:
Myles Douglas on how they were able to grind out the win
Asked @SJUHawks_MBB Myles Douglas on how they were able to grind out their first win of the season#SaintJosephs #ALBvsSJU pic.twitter.com/sEO1cAcQgD
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) January 10, 2021
Head Coach Billy Lange on how can the Hawks build off this win and get more wins the rest of the season
#SaintJosephs got their first win of this season today by beating Albany 67-64, how can they build off of this win going forward
Asked that to @SJUHawks_MBB Coach Billy Lange#ALBvsSJU pic.twitter.com/oSNlqu1D80
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) January 10, 2021
Up next
The Saint Josephs Hawks next game will be on January 12 when they take on Davidson at 7PM on ESPN+
Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
