St. Joseph’s Secures Sixth Win in Seven Games with Strong Performance Against La Salle

St. Joseph’s continued its impressive run by securing its sixth win in the last seven games, defeating La Salle 67-58 on Saturday. The victory marked a significant milestone for the Hawks (14-8, 6-3 Atlantic 10), who showed strong shooting and defensive resilience throughout the game.

The Hawks shot an impressive 14 of 32 from beyond the arc, while La Salle struggled, making only 3 of 19 three-point attempts. This contrast in shooting efficiency played a key role in the outcome of the game.

Key Performers for the Hawks

St. Joseph’s was led by sophomore guard Dasear Haskins, who delivered a standout performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Haskins’ ability to hit shots from long range was a major factor in the team’s success. Alongside him, sophomore guard Jaiden Glover-Toscano contributed 16 points, further solidifying the Hawks’ offensive firepower.

After a challenging nonconference schedule, the Hawks have found their rhythm in A-10 play. Following this win, they now sit in third place within the conference. Head coach Steve Donahue praised his team’s ability to focus on the game rather than external pressures.

“We’ve been through a lot,” Donahue said. “I just see [the team’s] ability to forget about personal expectations and figure out what needs to be done on that game, and that tonight was a perfect example.”

Haskins echoed the coach’s sentiment, emphasizing the joy of winning.

“Winning is so fun,” he said. “I love winning so much.”

La Salle’s Efforts and Challenges

Despite the loss, La Salle put up a strong fight, especially early in the game. Redshirt sophomore guard Rob Dockery was the standout performer for the Explorers, finishing with 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. However, Dockery was the only player to reach double digits in scoring, as freshman guard Ashton Walker added nine points and six assists.

La Salle’s defense struggled to contain the Hawks’ three-point shooting, which proved to be a critical weakness. The Explorers were able to keep the game competitive, but they ultimately couldn’t match the Hawks’ offensive output.

Haskins Shines from Beyond the Arc

From the start, St. Joseph’s focused on attacking from the outside. In the first half, 30 of the team’s 36 points came from three-pointers. Haskins was instrumental in this effort, hitting six of his seven three-point attempts in the first half.

With under four minutes remaining before halftime, Haskins showcased his shooting touch with a clutch three-pointer that rattled the rim before dropping in. His confidence was evident, and he credited his teammates for creating opportunities for him.

“I was just confident in my shots,” Haskins said. “My guys were cutting for me early, making it easy for me, and I was just making shots.”

Despite Haskins’ hot shooting, La Salle remained competitive, with Dockery scoring 16 points in the first half. The Explorers trailed 36-29 at the break, but they showed resilience in the second half.

La Salle’s Late Push

Both teams exchanged baskets in the second half, but St. Joseph’s maintained its lead. With 12 minutes left, Walker made a flashy hop step pull-up jumper to bring the score to 48-41. After a series of missed shots, Glover-Toscano hit a one-handed slam to extend the Hawks’ lead back to nine.

For every positive play the Explorers made, the Hawks had a response. La Salle coach Darris Nichols acknowledged the difficulty of facing a strong opponent.

“I thought defensively we had some breakdowns that we shouldn’t have had,” said Nichols. “But, you know, they’re a good team. They’re playing well right now, they do the job of sharing the ball.”

As the Hawks converted free throws down the stretch, the student section chanted “The Hawk will never die” while the La Salle fans filed out of Glaser Hall.

Donahue took the time to express his appreciation for the fan support.

“I feel [the fans’ impact] at St Joe’s, more than any place I’ve been,” Donahue said. “They really care about basketball. The students care. It’s fun to be a part of that.”

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, La Salle will travel to face Loyola (Ill.) on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ESPN+. On Wednesday, St. Joseph’s will host George Washington at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia.