In a stunning turn of events, Saint Joseph's pulled off a monumental upset, taking down George Washington 76-73 at the Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena. The Hawks, led by Jaiden Glover-Toscano's impressive 23-point performance, defied expectations and handed the Colonials a tough loss. This victory is all the more significant considering George Washington was favored to win by 4.5 points, according to CHD Scout's pre-game prediction, which ultimately proved incorrect.
The game got off to a slow start for George Washington, as Saint Joseph's took a 35-30 lead into halftime. However, the Colonials came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Hawks 43-41. Despite this, Saint Joseph's managed to hold on, thanks in large part to Glover-Toscano's clutch shooting. The Hawks' supporting cast also played a crucial role, with Derek Simpson contributing 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Dasear Haskins adding 14 points and 6 rebounds.
On the other side, George Washington's Trey Autry led the charge with 15 points, while Garrett Johnson and Jean Aranguren chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Aranguren also grabbed 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hawks' balanced attack. The Colonials' inability to contain Glover-Toscano and the Saint Joseph's offense ultimately was their downfall.
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This upset win has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Saint Joseph's, the victory marks a much-needed Quad 3 win, which could bolster their resume come selection time. With a current net ranking of 156, the Hawks still have work to do, but this win certainly helps their cause. On the other hand, George Washington, currently ranked 87 in the net rankings, will likely see their tournament stock take a hit. The loss, also a Quad 3 game for the Colonials, could make their path to the tournament more challenging.
The fact that Saint Joseph's was able to pull off this upset despite being the underdog makes the win all the more impressive. The Hawks' ability to rise to the occasion and take down a higher-ranked opponent will undoubtedly give them a confidence boost as they move forward. As for George Washington, they must regroup and refocus in order to get their season back on track.
In the end, Saint Joseph's' stunning upset of George Washington will be remembered as a pivotal moment in their season. With this win, the Hawks have injected new life into their tournament hopes, while the Colonials must reassess their strategy and find a way to bounce back from this tough loss. The resume implications of this result are clear: Saint Joseph's has taken a significant step forward, while George Washington has taken a step back.