The Hawk

Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Sports

Calathes is five free throws away to tying West's 38.

The second time around is always a different story.

The question is if it's the different chapter or a totally different novel.

This Wednesday, George Washington University visits the Alumni Fieldhouse for the last meeting of the season between the two Atlantic 10 adversaries.

The Colonials enter this game with one win under their belts already against the Hawks this season.

That victory might instill some confidence, but George Washington also might find themselves in a bit of a skid.

The past three games were losses for George Washington, including a loss to Xavier University at home which snapped the Colonials 24 game home winning streak. George Washington is not at a high point in its season

The Colonials may have come away with the win verse the Hawks in their previous bout, but whether they deserved it is in question.

The Hawks did more then put up a fight in D.C.; they took George Washington down to the wire, or at least down to the six minute mark. It was a back and forth game that St. Joe's controlled for the most part, until the clock showed six minutes remaining.

When that time appeared, the Hawks went ice cold. Missed open looks, bad turnovers and the most painful of all missed free throws down the stretch; that is what finished off the Hawks.

Nothing could go more wrong for St. Joe's and everything went so right of the Colonials. Those are the type of endings a team dreads and tries to avoid at all costs.

Does that win give George Washington any reason to be arrogant in their upcoming match-up against the Hawks?

Plain and simple the answer is no. You can say it was inexperience, you can say it was bad luck, or you could say it was bad play but that game was not won by George Washington; it was lost by St. Joe's.

"We gave that one away against George Washington," said Head Coach Phil Martelli. Martelli knew they had that game, but when your team only scores three points in the final six minutes, that severely hurts your chances at wining a tight game.

Don't expect to see any Colonials walking with the heads held high onto the hardwood this Wednesday, look for players that know they stole one from the Hawks.

The key for this game will be the pressure on the ball and perimeter defense. St. Joe's needs to shut down their guard play (Rice and Elliot) and challenge the inexperienced big men on George Washington to beat them.

For success on the offensive end, look for Saint Joseph's to turn to Pat Calathes and Ahmad Nivins for the bulk of their points.

That's where they found success last game versus the Colonials; if they are able to work the inside out game, that will free up some shots for the guards, and if they are open they can knock them down.

Also, Calathes nears the school record for consecutive free throws made. Calathes has made 33 in a row, the record stands at 38 by Delonte West, and if Calathes is able to get to the lane that record will be well in reach this game.

Right now, the Hawks sit tied for fourth place in the A-10 with the Colonials. With a win on Wednesday can take over sole ownership of that fourth seed in the conference. With tournament time coming up any kind of win is welcomed, especially win in the conference.

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