In the days leading up to Friday night's first game at the newly expanded and renovated Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena, Phil Martelli wondered how much impact the din emanating from the bigger student section might have on his team.
It was more than the St. Joseph's coach could have imagined.
With a city rival, Drexel, threatening to spoil the debut of St. Joe's new digs, the Hawks needed every ounce of energy they could summon. The 1,100 students who formed a crimson wall behind the basket at the east end of the floor gave it to them.
After falling behind by 10 points midway through the second half, and with the Dragons on the cusp of putting them away, the Hawks staged a late rally and then went on to win in overtime, 77-67.
Every night the students "fill it like that will give us a chance because it's an intimidating sight," Martelli said after opening his 15th season as St. Joe's head coach. "It's a welcoming sight for the home team, but I think it has to be intimidating for the visitors."
Martelli thanked Drexel coach Bruiser Flint for helping the Hawks christen their new surroundings. Flint is a St. Joe's alumnus, and his Drexel teams display the grit he showed when he was a standout guard on Hawk Hill.
"I think it speaks volumes for Philadelphia that Bruiser would accept the invitation to come here," Martelli said. "He knew it would be frenzied, probably oversold, and I appreciate that.
"He has a hard-playing group of guys, and for them to kind of withstand that and kind of handle us in the second half, well, I'm delighted to call him a friend."
With the expansion of the old Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, Hagan Arena seats 4,200, an increase of 1,000. Several discussions on who should have access to the extra tickets were held, and Martelli was pleased when 500 were offered to the students.
"It's their team," Martelli said.
The expectations for this St. Joe's team are probably lower than they've been for the last decade, but the Hawks showed plenty of fight after Drexel guards Derrick Thomas and Jamie Harris combined for five three-point baskets as the Dragons broke out to a 51-41 lead in a game that was choppy but highly entertaining.
Clutch baskets by the Hawks' Darrin Govens and Garrett Williamson in the final 15 seconds pushed the game into overtime. A pull-up jumper by Williamson with 3.7 seconds to go tied it at 62-62 at the end of regulation time.
Another three-point basket by Thomas, a freshman, gave the Dragons a 67-64 lead in overtime. But after Thomas missed two free throws and Harris (who finished with 20 points) fouled out, St. Joe's took over.
Todd O'Brien, a sophomore transfer from Bucknell, followed a Govens miss for a 69-67 St. Joe's lead, then Govens converted a four-point play when he scored off a layup after a Drexel turnover, and hit both free throws after he was intentionally fouled.
"Not a thing of beauty, but I'm pleased with the defensive effort," Martelli said.
Drexel missed its first 10 shots, but hammered the Hawks off the glass. The Dragons outrebounded St. Joe's, 16-8, on the offensive boards.
Williamson, the St. Joe's captain, had eight turnovers. Govens, who needed 17 shots to score 23 points, had five of the Hawks' 19 turnovers. But the Dragons had 23.
St. Joe's freshman guard Carl Jones, who had 13 points, was held out of the starting lineup because he missed a class Thursday, Martelli said.
The game was the first for St. Joe's on Hawk Hill since the end of the 2007-08 season. The Hawks played all but one of their home games at the Palestra last season.
Michael Hagan, whose $10 million donation helped make the expansion of the arena possible, drew a rousing ovation as he tossed up the ceremonial jump ball. Gov. Rendell was also in attendance.
The Hawks lead their series against Drexel, 44-8. But the Dragons had won two of the three previous meetings, including last year's New Year's Eve matchup.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
