Hawk Classic Beginning in 1990, the Hawk Classic has been a staple of Saint Joseph’s schedule. Over 20 years, the Hawks have advanced to the title game each year and have claimed the crown eight times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2009 and 2010). Below are recaps of Saint Joseph’s championship runs at the Hawk Classic. • Hanging on for a semifinal win over New Hampshire on a last-second layup by Michelle Baker, the Hawks cruised to a 75-40 win over Lafayette for the 2010 tournament title. Katie Kuester led the offensive charge for SJU, earning MVP accolades, while Ilze Gotfrida tallied a career-best 20 points in the title game to earn All-Tournament Team honors.
The Hawk Will Never Die!
• Led by 2009 Hawk Classic MVP Ashley Prim, Saint Joseph’s posted victories over Brown and Boston University to claim the seventh title for SJU. After dispatching Brown in the opening game, 65-36, the Hawks pulled away from the Terriers in the second half of the title game. SJU never allowed Boston University to come closer than four points in the second half as Prim became the first SJU rookie guard to post a double-double in points (18) and rebounds (11). Ashley Logue also garnered All-Tournament Team honors for Saint Joseph’s. • In 2007, Saint Joseph’s trailed for just the opening 3:01 of the championship game versus No. 15 Auburn, as the Hawks’ offense put SJU up by 12 at the half. The Tigers posted a furious comeback that cut the Hawks’ lead to just two, but Hawk Classic MVP Amy Wold came up big for SJU, answering with a three-pointer and grabbing a key offensive rebound in the final seconds to preserve the 71-69 win. Wold and AllTournament Team honoree Sarah Acker combined for 33 of SJU’s points on 13-of-23 shooting.
Captains Dominique Bryant and Katie Kuester accept the 2010 Hawk Classic Champions trophy from Ellen Ryan and Don DiJulia.
• Saint Joseph’s rolled to its fifth Hawk Classic title in 2001, posting wins against Morgan State in the semifinals and Georgetown in the title game. Susan Moran averaged 27.0 points in the tournament and grabbed a record 16 boards in the championship game to capture Most Valuable Player honors. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Irina Krasnoshiok and Amra Mehmedic. • Saint Joseph’s captured its fourth Hawk Classic title in 2000, posting wins against Central Connecticut State in the semifinals and Seton Hall in the title game. In the championship game, Angela Zampella poured in 24 points, dished eight assists and grabbed nine rebounds and was named tournament Most Valuable Player, garnering the honor for the third time. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Moran.
• In 1999, SJU won its third Hawk Classic title, downing Air Force in the semifinals and beating Loyola (Md.) in the title game. In the championship game, Moran netted a game-high 28 points to sprint past the Greyhounds, 74-54. In the semifinals against the Falcons, Zampella broke the then-SJU single game record for assists with 16, helping SJU to a 90-62 victory. Zampella was named tournament MVP and joined on the All-Championship squad by Moran and Jana Lichnerova. • The Hawks captured the tournament title for the second time in 1997. Saint Joseph’s defeated Alabama, 74-69 in overtime, in the championship game. Alabama built a 10-point lead in the second half but SJU chipped away until the score was knotted at the end of regulation. Zampella and Maureen Costello combined for 11 of the Hawks’ 15 overtime points. Zampella was named tournament MVP while Lichnerova earned All-Tournament Team accolades. • The Crimson and Gray captured the tournament title for the first time in 1993. The Hawks defeated 13th-ranked Virginia, 71-56, in the championship game. Robyne Bostick, the tournament MVP, led SJU with 23 points in the game.
100
Saint Joseph’s claimed its seventh Hawk Classic title in 2009 with wins over Brown and Boston University.
2012-13 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball