BREAKING: Deuce Jones II propelled the St. Joseph’s Hawks to a thrilling 76-65 victory over the Drexel Dragons, scoring a career-high 29 points in the first Big 5 men’s game of the season on November 18, 2023. Coming off the bench, the sophomore guard was unstoppable, netting 18 points in a pivotal second half that secured the win at Hagan Arena.
Jones demonstrated explosive energy and precision, shooting 7 of 11 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. He also excelled at the free-throw line, making 12 of 13 attempts. His performance was crucial as the Hawks completed a decisive 16-5 run in the last five minutes to pull ahead of the Dragons.
“Everything was within our offense,” Hawks coach Steve Donahue stated. “He made decisions to go to the hole because of how he’s being guarded. When he does that, he is really good.” This victory marks a strong start for Donahue, who is now 1-0 in Big 5 play, aiming for a third consecutive championship.
Despite a halftime lead of 37-34, the Dragons struggled offensively, shooting just 24.2% in the second half. Drexel’s junior guard Shane Blakeney expressed disappointment, noting, “We had some uncharacteristic misses around the rim.”
The Hawks now look ahead to a crucial matchup against the Penn Quakers on November 19. If victorious, St. Joe’s can secure first place in Pod 2 of the Big 5 series. Donahue, a former head coach at Penn, emphasized the importance of the game, saying, “I’ve got to do whatever I can to help us hang a third banner.”
Drexel, currently 0-1 in Pod 2, will host Penn on November 21 as they seek to bounce back. Both teams are eager to prove themselves in this competitive early-season landscape. Don’t miss the next thrilling chapter as the Hawks strive for another title and the Dragons look to regain their footing.
