St. Joseph’s Hawks and Villanova Wildcats kicked off the 2024 Big 5 Classic in high-energy fashion on Tuesday night at Hagan Arena, with St. Joe's seizing a thrilling 83-76 victory over the Wildcats. This marked a big moment for the Hawks, as it was their first home win over Villanova since 2011, breaking a long-standing dry spell in front of an electric crowd. The atmosphere was palpable, and for fans of both teams, it was a night to remember.
Both teams came into this heated matchup with a little more on the line after facing early setbacks this season. Villanova had suffered a disappointing 90-80 loss to Columbia on November 6, while the Hawks, just days earlier, fell 73-67 to Central Connecticut. Each side was eager to prove itself, and it showed on the court with every play and every shot.
The Hawks, with a 2-1 record, started the game with impressive intensity, catching fire right out of the gate. But Villanova, at 2-2, didn’t back down. Just as St. Joe's seemed to gain control, the Wildcats countered, led by their experienced fifth-year guard Jhamir Brickus. He took the game into his own hands, igniting a 10-0 scoring run that helped Villanova pull ahead 29-21 midway through the first half. Brickus’s energy was infectious, and suddenly, Villanova seemed to be taking charge.
However, the Hawks weren’t ready to let the game slip away. Sophomore guard Xzayvier Brown nailed a three-pointer, the only field goal he made in the first half, but it was enough to help cut the deficit. By halftime, the game was close, with Villanova barely holding onto a 37-36 lead. Despite being held back in the first half, star player Erik Reynolds kept his head in the game. Hawks coach Billy Lange had high praise for his determination, noting how Reynolds showed both physical and mental resilience. “Erik’s gotten stronger, and emotionally, he understands how to stay in it,” Lange said, crediting Villanova for their strong defensive hold on Reynolds early in the game.
For St. Joe’s, the second half turned the tables. Reynolds came alive, scoring his first points with a layup that tied the game at 42-42. From there, the Hawks went on an electrifying 15-0 run, charging ahead to lead 53-42 with just under 14 minutes left on the clock. Their speed, ball movement, and aggressive defense mirrored Villanova’s first-half tenacity, and they were relentless. St. Joe’s not only outpaced Villanova but also outmaneuvered them, creating open looks while keeping up defensive pressure. Villanova, however, still had fight left, regaining a brief lead on a jumper by Wooga Poplar with just over six minutes remaining. But Rasheer Fleming’s powerful dunk sealed the deal for the Hawks, putting them out of reach as the game clock wound down to the final 20 seconds.
Villanova’s coach Kyle Neptune acknowledged the pressure St. Joe’s had put on his team. “I thought they got into us. I thought their pressure affected us,” he remarked. “Defensively, they came after us. So, we have to shore that up. We have to get the ball moving a little bit more.” His words reflected the need for Villanova to find a way to handle the relentless, up-tempo style that St. Joe’s brought to the court that night.
Statistically, Villanova’s Eric Dixon was a standout with a game-high 24 points, while Jhamir Brickus backed him up with 22 points of his own. Poplar and Jordan Longino also contributed significantly, each scoring in double figures. Yet, St. Joe’s found a way to spread the wealth across its roster. Fleming led the charge with 19 points, and Brown stepped up in a big way, securing his first double-double of the season with 18 points and a career-high 13 assists. Derek Simpson and Anthony Finkley rounded out the Hawks’ impressive offensive showing, both finishing with double-digit points.
As the players walked off the court, it was clear that this win was more than just another game for St. Joe’s. The victory over Villanova meant something special, especially after such a long stretch without a home win against their rivals. The team is now looking forward to their next Big 5 Classic challenge against Penn at the Palestra, with Reynolds promising that the Hawks would be bringing the same intensity to that matchup. “We’re going into it with the same attitude we had against Villanova,” he said confidently.
For Villanova, the season moves forward with a tough upcoming game against Virginia in Baltimore. But for the Hawks, this was a night to savor—a night when they proved they could go toe-to-toe with their long-time rivals and come out on top in a thrilling, hard-fought battle.
Here's a recap of key takeaways from this memorable showdown:
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Hawks Break 13-Year Drought: This was St. Joe’s first home victory over Villanova since 2011, marking a historic win for the Hawks and electrifying their fans.
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Second-Half Surge: Held to only one shot attempt in the first half, Erik Reynolds came alive in the second, sparking a 15-0 run that put St. Joe’s firmly in the lead.
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Standout Performances on Both Sides: Villanova’s Eric Dixon led all scorers with 24 points, and Jhamir Brickus was close behind with 22. For St. Joe’s, Rasheer Fleming’s 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s double-double (18 points, 13 assists) were instrumental.
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Up Next in the Big 5 Classic: St. Joe’s faces Penn next in what promises to be another intense game. Villanova, meanwhile, is set to take on Virginia, aiming to rebound from this loss.
This showdown was an early-season high point, reminding fans why the Big 5 Classic remains a beloved and competitive tradition in college basketball. Both teams left it all on the court, and for St. Joe’s, the victory was a thrilling reminder of what they’re capable of achieving this season. With strong performances from veterans and emerging stars, the Hawks are poised to make waves, not just in the Big 5 Classic but in every game to come.
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