Photos/Videos: Adam Fine & Ryan Nix
By: Adam Fine
PHILADELPHIA – The "Holy War," - that’s what the Saint Joseph's student body calls it, and it did not disappoint.
In an extremely intense back and forth game in front of a season-high 3,924 fans at Hagan Arena, the Villanova Wildcats were just too much for St. Joe’s, taking this one 71-66.
St. Joe’s came out hungry. It took one quick pass after winning the tip for Erik Reynolds to connect for three. Then Villanova was overwhelmed by the full court press from the Hawks that led to a 10-second violation. Fifteen seconds into the game, St. Joe’s sent the message that this game was not going to be like last year’s 29-point beatdown.
It was an offensive onslaught early on. The first nine shots of the game were threes. “Welcome to basketball in 2022,” said Hawks head coach Billy Lange after the game.
Reynolds was the clear leader, raining in points. Villanova forward Brandon Slater knocked down three-straight triples for the Wildcats as well. No team was gaining any separation.
Then a lid suddenly appeared on both baskets. Lange’s zone defense gave the Wildcats a lot of trouble. Villanova shot an uncharacteristic 38 percent from the field in the first half and couldn’t get in the paint, not even attempting one free throw.
Both teams were in need of a spark at the end of the first half, as no lead eclipsed six points. Villanova star Caleb Daniels made an excellent move to the basket to tie the game with ten seconds remaining, a spark Villanova had for only ten seconds.
SJU vs. Villanova - PSD Gallery by Ryan Nix
SJU vs. Villanova Highlights by Adam Fine & Ryan Nix
Lynn Greer III then pushed the issue with a stop and pop three that clanked far left with two seconds to spare. The Hagan Arena went into a hush just in time for Reynolds to pick up the loose ball and fire off a last-second three, nothing but net. Buzzer beater.
The student section lost its mind, and just like that, St. Joe’s had the momentum and led 35-32 heading into the second half.
After a few minutes into the second half, Hawk fans had true belief that they were going to complete the upset. An and-one for Reynolds and an alley oop to Rasheer Fleming set the tone.
Then the tides started to turn. Strong pump fakes from the Wildcats got the Hawks off their feet, depleting the zone defense. And it didn’t help that St. Joe’s started the second half 2-for-5 from the line.
Villanova led by ten with 8:51 left in the game, which was the largest lead for either team up to that point. St. Joe’s needed something to gain back the momentum.
Daniels attempted the dagger by trying to posterize Kacper Klaczek, but a good contest led to the ball rimming out to set up a stop and pop for who else, other than Reynolds. Just like that, the Hawks were back in it, down four with just over three minutes to go.
Opening Press Conference Remarks from Villanova Head Coach Kyle Neptune - PSD Video by Adam Fine:
Opening Press Conference Remarks from SJU Head Coach Billy Lange - PSD Video by Adam Fine:
In the end, the Hawks couldn’t close the gap any further. They just didn’t have enough offense other than Reynolds. Cameron Brown and Greer III shot a combined 7-31 from the field.
“Our whole team was getting good looks all game, some shots just didn’t go in in the second half,” said Brown. “It was just one of those days.”
Reynolds ended with a game-high 27 points on 58 perdent shooting with six three’s. He knew the spotlight was going to be on him tonight, but he never wavered.
Hawks fans can look at this game in two ways, the team competed well against Villanova with its second and third scoring options shooting only 22 percent. However, the same can be said that the Hawks can’t just rely on Reynolds every night to carry them through the Atlantic 10.
Regardless, the Hawks put up a great effort. Even though Lange was frustrated with the loss, he saw many positives.
“I was really pleased generally with the offensive flow of our game tonight,” said Lange. “Thirteen assists on 24 field goals… We only had 7 turnovers, which is amazing for us.”
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Two days after the tough loss to Villanova (6-5), St. Joe’s (5-6) showed no sign of fatigue on Monday with a dominant, 77-59 win over Sacred Heart.
The Hawks once again applied the full court pressure and left the Pioneer offense in shambles. The numbers speak for itself: Sacred Heart shot 35 precent from the field on top of 20 turnovers. No matter where they went, the Hawks were trapping and preventing smooth ball movement.
Junior forward Louis Bleechmore had his best game of the season with a Division 1 career high 9 points in 20 minutes. The last two seasons, Bleechmore played for Harcum College, an elite junior college basketball program.
Bleechmore also took a couple charges, yelling and screaming afterwards showing his passion for the game which fired up the crowd.
“What he brings is energy, what he brings is toughness,” said Lange. “We needed a spark tonight and he gave us a great one. That tip dunk he almost had was amazing.”
Lange is referring to a put back dunk in which Bleechmore came out of nowhere and basically jumped over another Sacred Heart player to rebound the ball, and was an inch away from slamming it home as it rimmed out. He was however, able to make the loudest dunk of the game with a two handed jam in transition moments before.
As for the passion and intensity on the court, it’s something Bleechmore takes pride in.
“Coach preaches it all the time… Whether it’s on the bench cheering, whether it’s taking charges, or getting up and dunking, anything I can do to be that energy plug for the guys,” said Bleechmore.
SJU vs. Sacred Heart Highlights by Adam Fine:
Post Game Press Conference with SJU head coach Billy Lange after 77-59 win over Sacred Heart - Video by Adam Fine:
Along with Bleechmore, Brown turned in an incredible three point performance going 5-7 from deep. Most of this barrage came in the middle of the second half with three straight baskets, which ultimately put Sacred Heart away.
Up next, the Hawks will face Central Connecticut on Thursday at home before taking a break for the holidays.