Men’s basketball defeats Columbia 85-65

Coming off a 77-76 win against the University of Toledo on Saturday night, the Saint Joseph’s University men’s basketball team defeated the Columbia University Lions on Monday, Nov. 14 by a final score of 85-65. In total, the Hawks made 32 of 58 shots and had eight turnovers, down from the 13 they had in Saturday’s game.

“The eight turnovers is really an encouraging sign, because I think we can eliminate from there,” St. Joe’s Head Coach Phil Martelli said. “Three or four of them were quick walks, and they’re unnecessary. We didn’t have to go fast, we had to go quick against this team. We need to make sure our shot number gets up there. We’re targeting 60 shots a game, and then we can live with everything else.”

The Hawks dominated offensively for most of the night, with five different players scoring double digits: Freshman Charlie Brown scored 15 and grabbed five rebounds, sophomore Lamarr Kimble scored 19, junior Shavar Newkirk scored 17, and sophomore Chris Clover scored 11. All but one uninjured player checked into the game for the Hawks.

Kimble and Newkirk combined for 44 points during Saturday’s game, and combined for 36 points during Monday’s game. Prior to this season, Kimble and Newkirk didn’t often play at the same time, splitting time at the point guard position.

“It’s kind of easy [to play with Shavar],” Kimble said. “We’re brothers out there, so it makes it even easier. I just feed off his energy and he feeds off mine. I know he got the mismatch and then I got it, and that’s just how it goes.”

Prior to the start of the game, it was announced that junior James Demery would miss the next few weeks due to a stress fracture in his left foot; Demery was the Hawks’ leading returning scorer, having averaged 8.0 points per game last season.

Despite losing Demery, the Hawks still dominated offensively throughout the game, getting off to an early lead on baskets from Kimble and Newkirk.

“It’s going to be a game-by-game thing now without James,” Martelli said. “We lose his rebounding and his defense. But first thing’s first, his health is more important than anything else.”

St. Joe’s first got out to a double digit lead less than seven minutes into the game, off a three-point basket from freshman Nick Robinson. St. Joe’s took and held the double-digit lead for good at the 11:36 mark off a jumper from Kimble.

The Hawks dominated offensively in the first half, making 19 of 33 shots. Senior tri-captain Brendan Casper took a three-point shot just before the halftime buzzer sounded, sinking the basket and giving the Hawks a 50-27 lead going into the second half.

The Lions started off the second half by going on a 6-1 run. At the 15:22 mark, off a pass from Newkirk, Robinson dunked the ball, reenergizing the crowd, and again gave the Hawks a 20-point lead.

A 10-3 run from the Lions saw the Hawks’ lead shrink to 15 points, but a three-point play from Newkirk followed by Casper stealing the ball and driving down the court to dunk put the Hawks back in front by 20.

Kimble set a new career high in points scored with 19, surpassing the mark he set two days earlier. He went 7-of-16 in field goals and made five of his six free throws. Kimble also had eight assists, just one shy of his career high.

“I feel good,” Kimble said of his strong start to the season. “I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win. We were down a man today with James, so I had to pick up my aggressive offense today, and I was able to put away some shots.”

Prior to the start of the season, Brown had said he wanted to lead the Atlantic 10 in three-point shots. Brown went 3-of-5 from behind the arc and came out playing a more aggressive game than on Saturday.

“[I was] trying to get comfortable,” Brown said. “I wasn’t trying to rush any shots. I let the game come to me. Lamarr and Shavar, they were really good with passing the ball.”

Graduate student tri-captain Javon Baumann led the team in rebounds with six in 16 minutes of play.

“I thought Javon was very good,” Martelli said. “Six rebounds in 16 minutes. Javon guards like an older guy.”

After this win, the Hawks will travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands to play in the Paradise Jam from Nov. 18-21.