PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — Gabby Casey scored 19 points and Faith Stinson added 13 points and three assists to lead Saint Joseph’s to a methodical 61-46 victory over Duquesne in an Atlantic 10 Conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Hagan Arena.

The Hawks, improving to 18-8 overall, used a decisive advantage at the free-throw line and a stifling defensive effort to secure the win in front of 1,059 fans. The Dukes fell to 9-17.

The most important part of the game was Saint Joseph’s immediate and sustained defensive pressure, which disrupted Duquesne from the opening tip and never allowed the visitors to establish any offensive rhythm. The Hawks opened the game on a 9-0 run, forcing two Duquesne turnovers and a missed three-pointer before the Dukes managed a field goal. This early tone-setting sequence proved prophetic, as Duquesne spent the entire night playing catch-up against a Saint Joseph’s defense that consistently generated difficult shots.

Saint Joseph’s built a 15-11 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 29-21 by halftime. The Hawks then delivered the knockout punch with a 17-point third quarter, pushing their lead to 46-33 entering the final period. Duquesne never threatened in the fourth, as the Hawks maintained at least a 13-point cushion throughout.

The statistical story was one of efficiency and opportunity. While both teams struggled from the field—Saint Joseph’s shot 37% and Duquesne 31%—the Hawks capitalized at the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 attempts. Duquesne attempted only five free throws, making three. Saint Joseph’s also held a significant edge in offensive rating, scoring 95.9 points per 100 possessions compared to Duquesne’s 70.4.

Casey, a 5-foot-9 guard from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, was the offensive catalyst for the Hawks, hitting three 3-pointers. Stinson, a 6-2 forward from Thornville, Ohio, provided a strong interior presence, adding three assists. Rhian Stokes contributed seven points, five assists and steady backcourt management for Saint Joseph’s.

Duquesne was led by Mackenzie Blackford, who played all but one minute and scored a team-high 16 points. Raevin Washington added 10 points and a block off the bench. The Dukes’ offense was hampered by 13 turnovers and just five assists on 18 made field goals.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Saint Joseph’s, which defeated Duquesne 72-53 on Jan. 24. The Hawks have now won eight of their last ten games as they push for positioning in the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament.

Duquesne, which had won two of its last three games entering Wednesday, including an 80-67 victory at Fordham on Saturday, saw its modest momentum halted by the Hawks’ defensive intensity.

Saint Joseph’s next travels to face Saint Louis on Saturday. Duquesne returns home to host VCU, also on Saturday.