SJU's Kanacevic draws two-game suspension

Saint Joseph's forward Halil Kanacevic has been suspended for two games as a result of an obscene gesture during Tuesday's loss at Villanova.

"The tradition of the Philadelphia Big 5 and the reputation of Saint Joseph's University are greater than any one game or any one player," stated SJU Director of Athletics Don DiJulia in a Wednesday statement. "In a meeting earlier today with myself and Coach Martelli, Halil was appropriately remorseful and accepting of this sanction. We have reinforced the expectations of our student-athletes, on and off the court." 

The 6-foot-8, 256-pounder is averaging 8.1 points per game and tied for team-best in assists per game with 3.6. He totaled four points, seven rebounds, four assists, five turnovers, two blocks and two steals in a 65-61 Wildcats victory.

"There is no place for obscene gestures or personal outbursts directed at anyone," said Hawks head coach Phil Martelli. "We have always sought to conduct ourselves in a respectful manner to our University and to our opponents, and this behavior was unacceptable and inexcusable, even in the heat of the moment."

Kanacevic was spotted on television extending middle fingers towards the Villanova student section after connecting on a three-point shot in the second half which gave the visitors a 50-47 advantage.

"My actions were wrong and embarrassing and I strongly regret them. I made a mistake and I accept total responsibility for my behavior," Kanacevic said. "I am sorry for the harm caused to my teammates and coaches and my actions were unbecoming of a member of our community. I sincerely apologize to both universities and to everyone who saw the game."

The ban will be in effect for games with Fairfield on December 22 and Iona on December 28, and Kanacevic will not participate in practice and any team activities for one week, with the exception of the team's annual Christmas charity event.

The junior and Staten Island native can return to practice and team activities on December 19 and will be eligible to play in the Hawks' New Year's Eve game at Drexel.

Hawks come up short, fall to Villanova

Villanova, PA -- Halil Kanacevic missed two key free throws in the final seconds and committed a crucial turnover, while James Bell hit the go-ahead triple in the midst of a St. Joe's meltdown, as Villanova ground out a 65-61 decision over the Hawks in the Holy War on Tuesday night.

With the plucky Jesuit school holding a 61-60 lead, Kanacevic bricked both of his attempts, and on the next trip down the floor, Bell connected from long distance to give the hosts a two-point edge.

Then, coming out of a timeout, Kanacevic was in charge of the inbounds pass along the right sideline, and, boxed in, attempted to bounce the ball off a 'Nova defender's leg, but the pass ricocheted back off his own leg for a change of possession.

"It's a numbers game. Eighteen turnovers with a veteran group and 68 percent from the foul line," said Hawks head coach Phil Martelli. "In the past few games we've had more turnovers than assists and we have too many skilled players for that to be the case. Not only the turnovers, but some of the decisions just weren't there." 

Ronald Roberts was forced to foul on the ensuing possession, and Bell sank the deciding shots from the charity stripe.

Villanova (6-4) improved to 2-1 in its Big 5 slate, following a 77-74 overtime loss to La Salle on November 25 and a 68-55 win over Penn last Saturday. Bell and JayVaughn Pinkston totaled 12 points each, while Achraf Yacoubou added nine points and seven boards.

Langston Galloway paced all players with 22 points thanks to 6-for-10 shooting beyond the arc and Carl Jones added 16 points with five assists and two steals for St. Joseph's (5-3), which won't have another city series game until January 19 in the Palestra against the Quakers.

The visitors scored the first five points of the contest, but 'Nova countered with a 10-3 run to take a slim lead.

A trey from Darrun Hilliard extended the Wildcats' edge to 17-11 before seven in a row restored the St. Joe's edge. Galloway's two from the line capped another surge and left the Hawks up 24-19, and after Jones sank two from the line with 1:57 left in the first half, the City Line squad held a 31-26 lead.

But Villanova struck back with the final seven points before intermission on a free throw from Tony Chennault then back-to-back triples from Bell and Ryan Arcidiacono.

The Wildcats led by five early in the second half, but the Hawks rallied to take a 50-47 lead on a Kanacevic trey with 9:50 remaining. Following the play, Kanacevic appeared to give the middle finger to the Villanova student section, who lustily booed each successive time he touched the ball for the rest of the night. Momentum swung once again in the hosts' favor as Pinkston's three-point play punctuated six in a row from 'Nova to make it a 53-50 game with 8:12 to play.

Galloway's sixth and final shot from beyond the arc produced a 61-56 advantage for St. Joseph's with 2:13 showing, then Bell converted two free throws and Daniel Ochefu connected on a layup for a one-point spread inside the final 30 seconds.

“I think this is the third time he’s done that this year. I can’t remember the games, but I know that he has done it a lot already. The kid’s got guts, he really does and he does all the little things for our team, he’s a leader for our team, a lot of guts and I do love having him on our side," said Villanova head coach Jay Wright about his junior guard.