Groves scores 19 points as Saint Joseph’s defeats George Washington 80-71

Saint Joseph’s knocks off George Washington 80-71

WASHINGTON — Darrin Groves scored 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half and Saint Joseph’s took advantage of its best shooting game of the season to win its first conference road game with an 80-71 victory over George Washington on Wednesday night.

The Hawks (10-19, 4-11 Atlantic 10 Conference) shot 60 percent from 3-point range (9-for-15) and 58.8 percent overall (30-for-51), both season highs. They took the lead for good by scoring 11 straight points early in the second half and Groves hit consecutive 3s during a 15-6 run that gave the Hawks their largest lead at 67-57 with 7:11 remaining.

Tony Taylor’s layup with 1:28 left cut the lead to 74-70, but the Hawks made six straight free throws in the final 54 seconds to secure the win.

Joseph Katuka led George Washington (16-12, 6-9) with a career-high 15 points. Taylor scored 11 points and Damian Hollis finished with 10 points.