PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a city known for its fierce college basketball rivalries, the Saint Joseph’s Hawks used a dominant second-half performance and a parade to the free-throw line to fend off the visiting Drexel Dragons 76-65 on Saturday afternoon at a spirited Hagan Arena.

A crowd of 2,401 watched as the Hawks, living up to their preseason billing and an 85 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, improved their young season record to 2-0. The Dragons, coming off a resounding opening-night victory, fell to an even 1-1.

The game was ultimately decided by discipline and efficiency, with Saint Joseph’s leveraging a significant advantage in free throws and capitalizing on Drexel’s mistakes. The Hawks attempted 30 free throws, connecting on 26, while the Dragons managed just 14 attempts, making nine. This 17-point disparity from the charity stripe proved insurmountable for Drexel, despite a valiant effort on the glass.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, featuring six lead changes and two ties. Drexel, fueled by a determined inside presence, took a 37-34 lead into the intermission. The Dragons’ frontcourt duo of Villiam Garcia Adsten and Garfield Turner established early control, helping their team secure 15 offensive rebounds in the game, which led to numerous second-chance opportunities.

However, the script flipped decisively after halftime. Saint Joseph’s emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, stifling the Drexel offense and embarking on a game-changing run. The Dragons, who scored 37 points in the first half, were held to just 28 in the second, shooting a frigid 24 of 69 from the floor for the game.

The catalyst for the Hawks’ surge was sophomore guard Deuce Jones. The Trenton, New Jersey, native erupted for 29 points in just 22 minutes of action, a breathtaking display of scoring efficiency. Jones was relentless attacking the basket, drawing fouls and converting at the line, serving as the primary engine for an offense that scored 42 points in the second half. His performance single-handedly outstripped Drexel’s entire second-half output.

While Jones provided the offensive fireworks, he was supported by a balanced and physical effort from his teammates. Dasear Haskins, a 6-foot-8 forward from Willingboro, New Jersey, contributed a solid 15 points and six rebounds, while fellow forward Anthony Finkley of Philadelphia added 13 points and four rebounds. The Hawks’ backcourt defense was also pivotal, with Derek Simpson of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, pulling down seven rebounds from his guard position to help his team weather Drexel’s rebounding storm.

The statistical story of the game was told in the contrasting offensive efficiencies. Saint Joseph’s scored 76 points on 74 possessions, an offensive rating of 102.4, while Drexel managed only 65 points on 72 possessions, an offensive rating of 90.7. The Hawks also won the critical battle of points off turnovers, converting nine Drexel giveaways into 16 points, compared to just seven points off turnovers for the Dragons.

For Drexel, the loss highlighted areas for improvement despite some promising individual performances. Garcia Adsten, the 6-foot-8 sophomore from Stockholm, Sweden, recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Shane Blakeney of Rock Hill, South Carolina, provided steady all-around play with 10 points, seven rebounds and a team-high three assists in 35 minutes. Josh Reed from nearby Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, chipped in 12 points.

The Dragons won the rebounding battle 49-42 and managed to score 30 points in the paint, nearly matching the Hawks’ 32. Yet, their inability to generate clean looks against a stout Saint Joseph’s defense and their struggles from the free-throw line ultimately sealed their fate. The total game score of 141 fell just under the pre-game over/under line of 139.5.

Saint Joseph’s will look to build on its perfect start with a challenging road test at Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Drexel, aiming to bounce back, heads to New York to face Colgate on Tuesday before returning home for a matchup with Syracuse next Saturday. For the Hawks, the victory serves as an early-season statement in Philadelphia’s crowded basketball landscape, earned not with flash but with fundamental, hard-nosed execution when it mattered most.