Niagara was not a welcoming host for Jim Crowley. The coach’s first game on his return to St. Bonaventure saw the Purple Eagles ring up a 75-51 victory at the Gallagher Center on Wednesday. The game was the opener for both teams. The numbers:
Possessions: 76
Offensive Efficiency: Niagara 94, St. Bona 71
eFG Percentage: Niagara 41, St. Bona 37
FT Rate: St. Bona 60, Niagara 20
OREB Pct: Niagara 44, St. Bona 34
TO Rate: Niagara 14, St. Bona 29
Leading scorers: Aaliyah Parker, Niagara, 12 points, Nadechka Laccen, St. Bona , 10 points
Two objectives for Bona were not letting Niagara dictate tempo and take care of the ball. Call it zero for two. Jada Pierce’s MAAC favorites sped the Bonnies up into a NASCAR tempo. The relentless full court pressure by Niagara forced Bona into 24 miscues.
At intermission, the game was tied at 28 . The second half saw Niagara get out of the gate on a 12-2 run and they never looked back. Niagara outscored Bona 26-6 in that decisive third period. That aforementioned pressure prevented the visitors from getting any type of a run.
Niagara held a 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers. They also showed depth outsourcing the Bonnies 27-11 in bench points. Laccen was the lone Bonnie in double figures while Niagara had four in that category. Bona did get to the line with frequency. Chalk it up to Niagara’s pressing. You press and you are more susceptible to foul. In the end, Niagara was helped quite a bit with the pressure, despite a few more fouls.
Bona returns home for the Reilly Center opener against Robert Morris on Saturday. Niagara faces another A10 opponent when they host Duquesne, also on Saturday.
