PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Host Saint Joseph's (4-3) opened the second half with a 15-4 run and the Hawks (4-3) pulled away from Binghamton men's basketball (2-4) 79-57 Wednesday night at Hagan Arena.

The Atlantic 10 member Hawks, five days removed from a win over reigning BIG EAST champion Georgetown, hit 5-of-7 shots to start the second half and stretched a nine-point intermission edge. Saint Joseph's shot above 60 percent for most of the final period and limited the Bearcats to eight field goals to keep its cushion.  

"We didn't have a good start today," head coach Levell Sanders said. "We will watch this video and learn from it so we can be ready for Boston on Saturday."

Sophomore guard John McGriff scored 14 points in 25 minutes to pace the Bearcats, who also received eight points from junior forward Bryce Beamer. Junior forward Taveion White chipped in six rebounds, two blocks and five points.

Binghamton shot 46 percent in the first half and kept within single digits, down 44-35. McGriff tallied eight points and Beamer hit back-to-back 3-pointers to lift the offense. A 13-1 Saint Joseph's run midway through the period gave the Hawks the lead but BU brought back a 12-point deficit before half.

The Bearcats next play at Boston University Saturday afternoon.