St. Joe’s women’s basketball team faced off against Villanova University on Dec. 2 in a Big 5 battle for Philadelphia, losing 47-35 in Hagan Arena.

Head Coach Cindy Griffin said the game environment yielded a great atmosphere.

“[It was] a great women’s basketball game, and we wanted to continue that tradition,”  Griffin said. “I think the players really enjoy seeing people in the stands and they get excited about it.”

Griffin said that it is these historic games that attract  players to play under her at St. Joe’s. She added that the Big 5 combined with the Atlantic 10 Conference is also a contributing factor.

“When you choose to come to St. Joe’s, you choose to play for a team with a lot of tradition and success,” Griffin said.

Griffin also said that these Big 5 games inspire a sense of Philadelphian pride in the community, as they showcase Philadelphia’s best.

“These are always great games, well attended, and I think it’s great for the community to be able to see two great teams in the city of Philadelphia compete against each other,” Griffin said.

From the grandstands, William Legg ’20, Sam Robinson ’20 and Kevin Duncan ’20, presidents of 54th Airborne, led the St. Joe’s student section.

Duncan said that this Big 5 rivalry game means a lot because of the local bragging rights at stake.

“The proximity between [St. Joe’s and Villanova], and the long history of this rivalry, brings a lot of spirit to these games,” Duncan said.

Robinson said that the historic tradition of these games creates a polarizing energy both on and off the court.

“The tradition of Big Five basketball and city competition has been a very competitive league,” Robinson said. “The city’s got a lot of talent and I think that every year it brings out an extra bit of spirit to see who is going to be the best out of these really great teams around the city.”

This particular Big 5 battle proved to be unique, as St. Joe’s redshirt freshman guard Katie Jekot faced off against her sister, Villanova junior guard Kelly Jekot, for the first time. Griffin said this added dimension of competition to the game while also creating a story that attracts attention.

“You’re always competing against your brothers or sisters, and I think that’s healthy, that’s what makes [Katie and Kelly Jekot] the great players that they are,” Griffin said. Griffin said  shewas happy with the defensive energy her team demonstrated. 

“I was proud of our team,” Griffin said. “It’s a grind or grit type of team that we have this year and I think our kids did a nice job defensively.”