For the first time since last season’s conclusion in the National Invitational Tournament, optimistic students and fans filled the stands of Hagan Arena Nov. 3, eager to watch a revamped St. Joe’s men’s basketball team take the court. Following a busy offseason of roster changes and revisions to the coaching staff, the Hawks opened the 2025-26 regular season with an 85-76 victory over the Lafayette Leopards. This is the first win under the leadership of Steve Donahue, who was appointed as the program’s 16th head coach following the resignation of Billy Lange Sept. 10.
Sophomore transfer guard Jaiden Glover-Toscano had a standout performance in his Hawk Hill debut. In his 31 minutes played, the sophomore tallied a game-high 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and went 5 for 6 from the free throw line. Glover-Toscano was just one rebound short of a double-double. Finishing the game with nine rebounds — four offensive and five defensive — displayed his impactful versatility on both ends of the court. The performance revealed Glover’s ability to be a breakout star for this revamped Hawks squad. Amid Lafayette’s game-changing 10-2 run to open the second half, the offensive spark produced by Glover-Toscano helped the Hawks hang onto the lead for the remainder of the game.
Some additional significant performances came from senior guard Derek Simpson, junior forward Anthony Finkley and redshirt sophomore guard Dasear Haskins. Simpson opened his second year as a Hawk with a solid statline of 11 points, five rebounds, a game-high five assists and a steal. Additionally, Simpson completed the game-sealing corner three to put the Hawks up 83-72 with a little under 45 seconds to play in regulation. A combined eight rebounds for Finkley and Haskins contributed to St. Joe’s dominance on the glass. The team ultimately outrebounded Lafayette 41-33. Finkley and Haskins also contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, and Haskins even forced a pair of turnovers on the Leopard’s offense as he came away with two blocks.
A glaring issue for the Hawks was its poor showing from three-point range. While both teams evidently struggled to shoot the three, the Hawks were just 2-of-13 from long range in the first half and finished the game with six total three-pointers made. Fortunately, St. Joe’s went 7-for-8 from the stripe in the last three minutes of play, which allowed the Hawks to keep hold of the lead over Lafayette down the stretch.
