The first St. Bonaventure road trip this season resulted in a two game sweep. Coaches like to label road trips as ‘business trips’. The Bonnies took care of business in both encounters to improve their record to 3-0 on the young season.
Last Saturday saw a game featured with runs and contrasting styles, St. Bonaventure defeated Canisius 87-78. The game at Canisus’ Koessler Athletic Center saw the Bonnies improve to 2-0 while the host Griffs dropped to 0-2. The numbers:
Possessions: 63
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 138, Canisius 124
Both teams showed a very high efficiency. You do not beat many teams when you give up a 124, but when you post a 138…
Four Factors:
eFG Pct.- Canisius 61, St. Bona 58
Canisius’ three point proficiency was responsible for the difference.
FT Rate- St. Bona 41, Canisius 21
Simple equation. You shoot mostly from long distance, as Canisius did, it is more difficult to get to the line.
OREB Pct.- St. Bona 50, Canisius 27
A 40% mark is outstanding. The Bonnies registering 50 was off the charts. Bona led 15-9 in raw offensive rebounding numbers.
TO Rate- St. Bona 13, Canisius 14
Both teams kept the percentage under the 20% cutoff.
Kenpom.com MVP- Chance Moore. The Bona senior scored a team high 27 points while tying teammate Noel Brown for game rebounding honors with six. Moore was also selected A10 Player of the Week.
“We were hyped for this game,” Moore told gobonnies.com. “I know Canisius got us the last two years and we were looking to punch back today. We followed coach’s game plan.”
That game plan was to “win the game in the paint,” per Mark Schmidt. The Bonnies did the job keeping Canisius out of the lane and handily winning the rebounding battle.
Canisius was forced to live on a perimeter diet. Jim Christian’s group hit 14 of 32 from beyond the arc. The Griffs actually had one more field goal from three (14) than two point range (12). Junior guard Paul MacMillan led all with 31 points, canning three from deep. Teammate Tana Kopa added 19 with five three pointers.
In the finals analysis the Bonnies out rebounded the hosts by a 37-23 edge. They also owned the paint by a 46-20 margin.
“We got outscored by 27 points on threes,” Schmidt said, “but we dominated the paint and were able to overcome some other things.”
Wednesday’s trip to the Sunshine State was a test of resilience. The Bonnies defeated FGCU 74-65 to raise their record to 3-0. The host Eagles of the ASUN conference dropped to 0-3.
Possessions: 69
Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 107, FGCU 94
Four Factors:
eFG Pct.- St. Bona 53, FGCU 46
FT Rate- St. Bona 32, FGCU 17
OREB Pct.- FGCU 30, St. Bona 25
TO Rate- St. Bona 13, FGCU 17
As far as the factors are concerned, the Bonnies did the job getting to the basket and drawing fouls. “Our philosophy is to attack the paint,” Schmidt noted. “We have some athletic guys who can get by their man.”
They were beaten slightly on the offensive glass by a raw count of 11-9. The ability to care for the ball as displayed by a low turnover rate offset the rebounding disparity.
Kenpom.com MVP: Chance Moore. The Bona senior scored a game high 18 points while tying Keeshawn Kellman of FGCU for rebounding honors with eight. Beyond the limitations of the numbers, Moore, once again brought a great deal of energy.
“Chance did some good things,” Schmidt said. “His athleticism is something that we need and really makes us better.”
Balance and poise. Bonnies had four double figure scorers. Beside Moore, Noel Brown had 13 and both Dasonte Bowen and Jonah Hinton scored 11. FGCU was led by Zavian McLea’ns 16 point effort.
Several times the lead was in double figures before the Eagles made a run. In each game the Bonnies regrouped and never surrendered the lead. Coach Schmidt has pointed out several times that teams make runs. How well you weather the run and respond makes the difference between winning and losing. In both road games the Bonnies answered when the hosts made a run. That is the sign of excellent poise. For a team that is basically new and still getting acclimated to the system and each other, that is a notable accomplishment.
It is still early but that display of staying calm and responding in the midst of an opposition rally is an encouraging sign for this Bona team.
A sixth man award for the Bona faithful? Fans do not score points nor do they defend and get stops. They can however affect a team with their presence and support. The game at FGCU saw a Bona crowd of about 200 in attendance at Alico Arena.
“Everywhere we go we have fans,” Schmidt observed following the contest. “It feels like home when you hear the let’s go Bona’s chants. One of the reasons we had the success we had today is because of them.”
Next: Bonnies are back at Reilly Center for a three game home stand. On Saturday Le Moyne of the Northeast Conference will visit. The following Wednesday the Bonnies host Mansfield. On Sunday the 24th Phil Martelli returns. That’s Phil Martelli Jr. who brings in his Bryant Bulldogs of the America East to the RC.
