The Davidson Wildcats men's basketball team had high hopes for their Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) tournament opener against the St. Joseph's Hawks on Thursday evening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. However, the team's aspirations were quickly dampened as they stumbled out of the gate, struggling to find their rhythm on offense and ultimately falling 70-63.
Disappointing Performance from the Wildcats
The Wildcats shot a dismal 38% from the field, failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities and allowing the Hawks to establish an early lead. The team's leading scorer, forward Grant Huffman, was one of the few bright spots, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in the losing effort.
Despite Huffman's best efforts, the Wildcats were unable to overcome their slow start and were ultimately outscored by the Hawks in the second half, 40-29.
St. Joseph's Hawks Dominate in Second Half
The Hawks, led by guard Cam Holden, who scored 19 points and dished out 7 assists, took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats in the paint and from beyond the arc. The Hawks' defense also played a crucial role, holding the Wildcats to just 35% shooting from the field in the second half.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Wildcats were left to ponder what could have been, as their A-10 tournament aspirations were put on hold for the time being.
Looking Ahead for the Wildcats
The Wildcats will look to regroup and refocus for their next game, which will be against the Richmond Spiders in the A-10 tournament. The team will need to bounce back quickly and find a way to improve their shooting and defense if they hope to advance to the next round.
With the season on the line, the Wildcats will need to dig deep and find a way to overcome their current struggles. As they continue to battle for a spot in the NCAA tournament, the team's resolve and determination will be put to the test.
As the Wildcats prepare for their next game, one thing is clear: they will need to improve their performance on both ends of the court if they hope to stay in the hunt for an A-10 tournament championship.