DAVIDSON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a tense, defensive-minded Atlantic 10 clash that came down to the final possession, Saint Joseph’s exacted a measure of revenge Wednesday night, edging Davidson 70-67 at a packed Belk Arena.

The victory avenged a six-point home loss to the Wildcats earlier in the season and improved the Hawks to 20-10 overall. Davidson fell to 18-12. The game, played before a crowd of 2,775, was a critical late-season result for both teams’ conference tournament positioning.

The contest was defined by grinding defense and key individual performances, none bigger than that of Saint Joseph’s sophomore guard Jaiden Glover. The Brooklyn, New York, native poured in a game-high 23 points, including five crucial three-pointers, and grabbed seven rebounds in 35 minutes. His backcourt mate, Derek Simpson, added 10 points and four assists.

Davidson was led by the dynamic scoring of guard Sam Brown. The Merion Station, Pennsylvania, product, playing in his home region, scored 20 points, with 14 coming in the second half as he tried to will the Wildcats back from a deficit. Forward Josh Scovens provided an early spark with 14 points, and guard Parker Friedrichsen chipped in 18 points.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the frantic final minute. With Saint Joseph’s clinging to a 66-64 lead, Davidson’s Devin Brown missed a jump shot. The Hawks’ Jaiden Glover secured the defensive rebound and was fouled with 34 seconds remaining. After a Davidson timeout, the Wildcats were forced to foul again, sending Saint Joseph’s Austin Williford to the line with 29 seconds left. Williford, a junior from Charlottesville, Virginia, calmly sank both free throws to extend the Hawks’ lead to 68-64.

Davidson answered swiftly. Out of a timeout, Parker Friedrichsen drained a deep three-pointer with just six seconds on the clock, slicing the Saint Joseph’s lead to a single point at 68-67 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Wildcats immediately fouled Saint Joseph’s Anthony Finkley, sending the Philadelphia native to the line for a one-and-one opportunity with four seconds remaining. With the game in the balance, Finkley sank both free throws, pushing the lead back to 70-67.

Davidson had one final chance to force overtime. After advancing the ball with a timeout, the Wildcats’ last-gasp three-point attempt from Hunter Adam was off the mark as time expired, securing the narrow road victory for the Hawks.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting efficiencies. Saint Joseph’s won despite committing 11 turnovers to Davidson’s remarkably low three, and recording only three assists against Davidson’s seven. The Hawks offset those deficits with superior shooting from the field and, decisively, from the free-throw line. Saint Joseph’s shot 47.2% from the floor and a critical 12 of 14 (85.7%) from the charity stripe. Davidson shot 42.4% overall and struggled at the line, making only 8 of 16 free throw attempts.

The Hawks also controlled the glass, outrebounding Davidson 36-31 and grabbing seven offensive rebounds to the Wildcats’ four. Saint Joseph’s interior defense, anchored by Justice Ajogbor’s eight points and two blocks, and bolstered by five total team blocks, provided a key deterrent against Davidson’s drives.

The first half set the stage for the nail-biting finish, featuring eight lead changes. Both teams traded runs, with Davidson building a small early advantage before Saint Joseph’s responded. The Hawks took a slim 37-35 lead into halftime behind Glover’s 13 first-half points, countering Scovens’ 12 for the Wildcats.

The second half saw Saint Joseph’s build its largest lead at nine points before Davidson, led by Sam Brown’s aggressive scoring, mounted a sustained comeback. The Wildcats tied the game at 56-56 with just over four minutes remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic final possessions where execution and free-throw shooting proved the ultimate difference.

With the win, Saint Joseph’s concludes its regular season at home against La Salle on Saturday. Davidson travels to face Saint Bonaventure, also on Saturday, in its regular-season finale.