This proved to be an impressive victory. And very much needed. Coming off a heartbreaking last possession loss at Rhode Island earlier in the week, St. Bonaventure responded to the challenge , posting a 73-59 win at UMass. Saturday’s game at the Mullins Center saw the Bonnies improve to 18-9 (6-8) while Frank Martin’s Minutemen dropped to 11-15 (6-7). Numbers and notes…
Possessions: 71
Offensive Efficiency: St. Bona 103, UMass 83
Four Factors:
eFG Pct – St. Bona 52, UMass 38
FT Rate- UMass 53, St. Bona 43
OREB Pct.- St. Bona 27, UMass 20
TO Rate- St. Bona 21, UMass 21
Points of Emphasis:
Good shooting cures all ailments. So the coaching axiom says. It proved true in Amherst. The Bonnies, sixth nationally in fewest fouls committed, had three starters with three fouls in the initial 20 minutes. They also equaled their season turnover average of 11 in that same time frame. Still, fueled by a 10-0 run the Bonnies were able to take a 39-26 lead into the locker room at the half. Credit the shooting as the Bonnies shot 54% in the first half, including 60% (3 of 5) from three.
No letting up. The second half saw the Bonnies guilty of only four turnovers. As it turned out only one player, Xander Wedlow (who did not start), was disqualified on fouls. Bona cooled off a bit with a 42% field goal percentage but they were still able to build on the lead, showing a 20-point advantage with just under eight minutes to go.
“It wasn’t a pretty game in the first few minutes from both sides, but we took care of the basketball in the second half and that helped us,” coach Mark Schmidt told gobonnies.com.
Closing it out. An 11-0 run, largely due to an offensive dry spell by the Bonnies, brought the host Minutemen to within 10 points down the stretch. The Bonnies were able to finish the job despite not hitting a field goal the final eight minutes. UMass struggled through a cold shooting day all afternoon. They shot 35% for the game, including 3 of 17 (18%) from three. An 11 of 15 (73%) from the charity stripe in the second half proved vital as the Bonnies needed free throws to put the game away down the stretch.
Boards. The Bonnies won the battle on the glass 37-31. They led 9-7 on the offensive boards and, as noted, enjoyed a 27-20 edge in offensive rebounding percentage. UMass is second in the A10 in that category with a 36% mark.
“One of the strengths of UMass is their physicality but we were able to outrebound them,” Schmidt said, “and that’s what you have to do against that them.”
Kenpom.com MVP: Melvin Council. The Bona senior scored 12 points while pulling down five rebounds. Council also handed out four assists and did not commit a turnover in 40 minutes of playing time.
Balance was the key for the Bonnies as four other players hit double figures: Chance Moore had game-highs with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Lajae Jones 14, Noel Brown 12 and Jonah Hinton added 11.
The Minutemen were led by Tarique Foster with 14. Rashool Diggins with 13 and Daniel Rivera had 11 and a team-high seven rebounds.
Notes. Chance Moore recorded his fifth double-double of the year and received the Bona game ‘MVP belt’. “If we had him against Rhode Island it might have been a different story,” Schmidt said. “That’s how we need him to play. He’s a guy who needs to have a double-double for us to have success.”
Bonnies held leads in points off turnovers (23-18), second chance points (11-10) and points in the paint (42-28).
UMass knocked down three from beyond the arc. That was the lowest total by a Bona opponent all season.
Bonnies have won 13 of the last 14 against the Minutemen. The game marked the final meeting between the two schools at the Mullins Center. UMass is joining the Mid-American Conference next year.
The win snapped the Bonnies five game road losing streak. The last win had been a January 4th victory at Fordham.
Bonnies host Duquesne Saturday at the Reilly Center. The Dukes defeated Bona 75-57 on January 18th in Pittsburgh. Following that victory Dru Joyce’s club (5-7 in A10 play) dropped six of seven prior to a February 19th meeting against Fordham.
Bona’s win at UMass snapped a three game slide. Following the Duquesne game three regular season games remain- at Saint Joseph’s (Feb 26) , home against UMass (March 5) and at Davidson (March 8).
“We didn’t play great but we found a way to get a victory today.” – Mark Schmidt
