A key game for both teams. A competitive, hard fought game- saw St. Bonaventure edge Duquesne 83-80 at UMPC Events Center at Robert Morris on Saturday. The Bonnies gained a game on the Dukes, improving to 16-8 (8-3 A10) while Duquesne slipped to 17-6 (7-4)
Possessions: 64
Offensive efficiency: St.Bonaventure 130 Duquesne 125 – An offensive display by both teams known for normally being formidable on the defensive end.
What the Bonnies did well… Shoot from long range. Mark Schmidt’s group went 10 of 21 (48%) from beyond the arc. Kyle Lofton (a team high 21 points) was 5 of 6 from downtown including a ‘dagger’ that proved decisive in the waning moments.
What Duquesne did well… Battle. Both coaches Schmidt of Bona and Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot used the ‘taking a punch analogy’. Bonnies had a double figure lead in the second half and on several occasions threatened to pull away. Each time Duquesne answered with a run of their own.
Notes: Bonnies pounded the boards with a 41-27 advantage in raw numbers. The offensive rebounding percentage saw the visitors post a 44-24% advantage- a crucial difference in what amounted to a one possession affair.
Bonnies put four in double figures with Jaren English (15), Dominick Welch (14) and Osun Osunniyi (12) joining Lofton. Welch had another solid all-around game with nine rebounds (four offensive) and three assists to compliment his scoring.
Tavian Dunn-Martin tied his career high, leading the Dukes with a game high 25 points. A junior guard, Dunn-Martin was on fire, shooting 7 of 15 from long range. His breakout came at an opportune time as Michael Hughes and Marcus Weathers struggled scoring seven points each.
Sincere Carry put a notable performance together for Duquesne. Carry scored 17 points, handed out 8 assists and did not have a turnover in 38 minutes.
Baylee Steele was also in double digits for the Dukes with 15 points.
While they were significantly beaten on the glass, a saving grave for the home five was an outstanding 6% turnover rate on just 6 turnovers.
Bona also turned in a respectable TO rate of 17% with 11 miscues.
What’s next? Bona visits Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday before starting a three game home stand-hosting Davidson on Friday.
Duquesne visits Fordham on Sunday.
Buyer beware. Both teams must be cautious. Saint Joseph’s is struggling yet this is no time for the Bonnies, especially coming off their big win, to let their guard down and overlook the Hawks.
Fordham is struggling but they did force Duquesne to overtime before dropping a two point decision in a one possession in their visit to Pittsburg in mid-January.
