Coastal Car defeats Saint Joseph's 62-68
Coastal Car Upsets Saint Joseph's 68-62 in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown
In a tightly contested game, Coastal Car edged out Saint Joseph's 68-62 at the Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena, spoiling the Hawks' homecoming and handing them their first defeat of the season.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a comfortable lead. At halftime, Coastal Car held a slim 32-27 advantage, but Saint Joseph's stormed back in the second half, narrowing the gap to just 10 points with just over five minutes remaining.
Coastal Car's AJ Dancler was instrumental in securing the win for his team, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The senior forward's all-around performance was a key factor in Coastal Car's success, as he also chipped in with four assists and one steal.
Saint Joseph's Derek Simpson led his team on offense, pouring in 18 points despite a dismal 1-for-9 three-point shooting display. Dasear Haskins and Anthony Finkley contributed to the Hawks' scoring effort, with Haskins grabbing nine rebounds and Finkley handing out five assists.
The game was marked by both teams struggling from beyond the arc, with Coastal Car making just two of seven three-point attempts and Saint Joseph's failing to connect on 29% of its own. However, Coastal Car's hot shooting from the field – particularly from two-point range – ultimately proved decisive, as the team shot 57.9% from the floor compared to the Hawks' 50%.
The win gives Coastal Car a much-needed boost heading into their next game and cements their status as a legitimate contender in the non-conference schedule.
Advanced statistics paint an even more nuanced picture of the game's outcome. Coastal Car's eFG percentage of 47.5% was significantly higher than Saint Joseph's, suggesting that the away team's ability to find open shots and exploit mismatches was a key factor in their victory. Conversely, the Hawks' inability to connect on three-point attempts – with just 17% accuracy from beyond the arc – proved particularly problematic.
As Coastal Car continues their upward trajectory, this win over Saint Joseph's should serve as a significant statement of intent for the team.