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by
Patrick Wandalowski
December 1st
 Saint
Joseph’s is off to their best start since the 1994-95 season, upping
their record to 3-0 after Sunday’s 63-47 defeat of CAA opponent, Old
Dominion. The Hawks used a 2nd half run to pull away from
the Monarchs before a crowd of 3,022 at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.
For the third straight victory, the Hawks relied heavily on their
backcourt. Jameer Nelson, Delonte West, and Pat Carroll combined for 45
points.
Delonte West continued his torrid offensive attack of late by
scoring the Hawks first 7 points of the game. A Nelson three-pointer
from the top of the key, followed by a steal and lay-up by the junior
co-captain gave the Hawks a 12-9 lead. After an 8-2 run by Old Dominion
recaptured the lead for the Monarchs, Tyrone Barley was fouled on a
three-point shot. He sank all three free throws to forge a tie at 17.
Another bucket by Nelson gave them the lead, a lead they would not
relinquish.
The Crimson and Gray opened up a little lead with some late free
throws in the opening half. West hit both ends of the 1 and 1, and
knocked in another shot to extend the lead to the largest margin of the
game, 27-20. A three-pointer by ODU’s Waller eventually ended a Saint
Joseph’s 13-3 run.
By halftime, the Hawks led 28-23. Nelson and West combined to go
6-for-14 from the field, scoring 18 of the team’s 28 total points. Free
throw shooting provided mixed results—West, Barley, and Mallon were a
perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe, while John Bryant and Chris
Cologer struggled mightily to go 1-for-9 combined.
Old Dominion scored five quick points to start the 2nd
half, 28-28. Alex Sazonoz’s lone basket of the game gave the Hawks the
lead right back. That started a 15-5 run by Saint Joseph’s. Nelson
drilled two free throws, then fed Delonte West for an easy lay-up to
make the score 34-30. Sophomore Pat Carroll took over for the next
stretch of the game. He knocked down a long three-pointer, blocked a
shot at the other end of the floor, and then nailed another
three-pointer. Nelson capped off the run, sinking a jumper off a Bryant
free throw miss, 43-33.
Jameer Nelson took over the game in the second half, scoring 14
of his game-high 21 points. Nelson went 7-for-14 from the field and was
a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. He added 5 steals, 4 rebounds, and 3
assists. It was the 3rd straight game of 20 or more points
for Nelson. Delonte West hauled down a game-high 9 rebounds to go with
13 points. Pat Carroll was 4-for-6 FG, 3-for-4 from three point
territory, for 11 points.
Saint Joseph’s clamped down on defense once again. They held the
Monarchs to 29% FG, out rebounded them 38-33, blocked 7 shots, and
forced 15 turnovers.
Old Dominion was led in scoring by Marsh (16 pts, 6 rebs) and Loughton
(14 pts, 7 rebs).
The Hawks’ frontcourt is quickly becoming a point of concern.
Dave Mallon, Alex Sazonov, Dwayne Jones, John Bryant, and Chris Cologer
combined for only two field goals and ten points. Two or three of these
players must emerge soon or it will catch up to the Hawks. Nelson,
West, and Carroll were the only 3 Hawks to attempt more than 3 shots.
Saint Joseph’s takes the floor this Thursday vs. Boston University.
Email: Patrick Wandalowski
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