Atlantic City, NJ -- (Sports Network) - Pat Calathes scored 23 points to lead the Saint Joseph's Hawks past the Fordham Rams, 80-62, in first-round action at the Atlantic 10 Tournament at Boardwalk Hall.

Tasheed Carr added 16 for the Hawks, who also got 12 from Rob Ferguson and 10 from Ahmad Nivins. Saint Joseph's (19-11) will next take on fourth-seeded Richmond on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Bryant Dunston led Fordham (12-17) with 17 points. Michael Binns scored 15 and Marcus Stout added 13.

Saint Joseph's made 16-of-25 shots in the first half, including five straight three-point baskets early. The Hawks led 16-13 with 10:40 remaining and then proceeded to take over the contest. Behind the shooting of Calathes and strong defense, Saint Joseph's quickly built its lead to 35-19 with 4:30 left.

The Hawks finished the first half with a 44-25 cushion, thanks in part to a 5- of-8 effort from three-point range.

In the second half the Hawks scored 12 of the first 16 points to take a 56-29 lead with 15:40 remaining. Saint Joe's led by as many as 29 before Fordham finished by scoring 14 points in the final five minutes against the Hawks' reserves to make the final somewhat respectable.