Newkirk leads Saint Joseph’s to Wooden win Sunday

FULLERTON, Calif., November 26, 2017 – Four Hawks put up double-figures including a 22-point performance from senior Shavar Newkirk to lead Saint Joseph’s to a 74-69 victory over Sacramento State to open up the final day of the Wooden Legacy.

For Newkirk, it’s his second 20-point effort in the tournament to go along with a team-high four assists. Senior James Demery and freshman Taylor Funk each had 15 points in the win for the Hawks. Redshirt freshman Lorenzo Edwards rounded out the double-figure scorers finishing with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

The Hornets were led by senior Justin Strings who put up his second-consecutive 20-point effort as he finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Sac. State only had one other player reach double-figures as sophomore Joshua Patton finished with 15 points to go along with seven boards.

Saint Joseph’s came out on fire in the first half starting the game with a 15-2 scoring run. However, it would not last long as Strings and the Hornets would answer back with a 12-0 run of their own to bring the game back with nine minutes left to play. For the half, Sacramento State shot a blistering 14-24 (58.3%) from the field and led by four points at the break.

The Hornets came out still shooting lights out from the field extending their lead to as many as 12 points in the second half. But the momentum shifted when Edwards knocked down a three from the wing and started a 16-2 run for the Hawks. The teams battled down the stretch with six lead changes and a tie ballgame on five different occasions in the final six minutes of play. But Funk hit what would be the game-winning three with 1:45 left and the Hawks held on for the win.