A10 Quarterfinal: St. Bonaventure 75 Loyola Chicago 74 (OT)

Survive and advance’ was used to chronicle the first round win over La Salle. Now, another Jim valvano reference is appropriate, ‘don’t ever give up’. 

That certainly was the St. Bonaventure theme in the 75-74 double overtime win over Loyola Chicago. The Atlantic Ten quarterfinal at Barclays Center saw the Bonnies improve to (20-12, 9-9) while second seeded Loyola Chicago fell to 23-9 (15-3). 

Possessions: 78

Offensive efficiency: St. Bona 96, Loyola Chicago 95

Ball Control Index:

Loyola Chicago 2.17

St. Bona 1.00

Recap. A Bona cold spell starting the game allowed the Ramblers to jump out to a 15 point lead with roughly six minutes left in the first half. A late 9-0 run allowed the Bonnies to get the deficit under double figures, 31-22,  at intermission.

The second half the Bonnies were within two possessions before Loyola Chicago answered, extending the lead to 11 with just under six minutes to play on two Philip Alston free throws. It was Loyola Chicago’s final points in regulation as the Bonnie defense locked the Ramblers down.

In overtime the Bonnies got out to a four point lead. An Alston dunk off his own missed free throw necessitated another five minute session. 

Bonnies opened another four point lead before Loyola Chicago answered with six straight. Daryl Banks III then drew a foul on a three point attempt with 12 seconds left. He drained all three attempts, putting the Bonnies ahead by one. On the final possession a desperation three point attempt by Des Watson was off the mark. 

The Bonnies held on and moved on. 

Key points:

Rebounding was once again a Bona weakness. Loyola Chicago pounded the offensive glass with a 23-13 edge. That allowed a number of extended possession opportunities as the Ramblers were not as proficient shooting from the floor.

Bonnies took advantage of the charity stripe chances, (27 of 31), especially in the overtime sessions when they shot a perfect nine of nine.

Bona mentor  Mark Schmidt emphasized in the pregame that it was vital for Banks to play well in order for the Bonnies to win.  Banks came through with 22 points including the game winning free throws. In  the two overtime sessions the Bonnies scored a total of three field goals, all by Banks. The performance brought up thoughts from two years ago when Banks helped lead Saint Peter’s to the Elite Eight.  “He embodies what we’re all about,” Schmidt told gobonnies.com. “He’s struggled at times this year but he kept on fighting..he showed today what he’s all about.”

Loyola Chicago ball pressure on the guards was problematic. Bonnies were forced into 17 turnovers and at times had difficulty getting into their offense. ”They (Loyola Chicago) trapped the ball screen and we did not execute effectively,” Schmidt said. “They had a lot to do with it…we had a couple of possessions where we didn‘t do what we needed to do.”

Don’t give up. Down 11 late, the Bonnies stayed with it and got back in possession by possession. They showed the determination  and mindset you need to be successful, especially in March. “We have character guys,” Schmidt praised. “We have competitors and they just kept on fighting.” 

Kenpom.com MVP: If there was any other choice there should be an investigation. Daryl Banks – The senior guard led the Bonnies with 22 points and eight rebounds. Banks was 12 of 12 from the line with the last three deciding the outcome. “This is really special,” Banks said. “I love moments like this.”

Bona’s other double figure scorers were Mika Adams-Woods and Noel Brown with 13 each and Assa Essamvous with 11. 

Loyola Chicago’s Philip Alston tied Banks for game scoring honors with 22 points. Miles Rubin and Dame Adelekun both added 12 points for Drew Valentine’s Ramblers. 

Notes: Bonnies shot 37% from the floor, 22% (4-18) from beyond the arc. Loyola Chicago connected on 33% while hitting 26% (6-23) from deep. 

Loyola Chicago  won the battle of the boards by a 49-44 count. Adelekun led all rebounders with 10 while Banks paced the Bonnies with eight. 

Bonnies did not take a lead until 3:06 remained in the first overtime. Game had 4 ties and 5 lead changes. 

The game was only the third double overtime game in A10 Tournament history. The Bonnies have been involved in all three and this time emerged winners . In 1995 they dropped a quarterfinal decision to Saint Joseph’s. In 2011 it was a first round setback at the hands of La Salle.

It was also the Bonnies first overtime victory in A10 Tournament play. 

Six players logged over 40 minutes. For the Bonnies , Adams-Woods went the full 48 while Essamvous played 45 and Banks and Pride both had 42. Loyola Chicago’s Braden Norris also went the full 48 and Des Watson 46.

Bonnies hit the 20 win mark for the sixth time in Mark Schmidt’s tenure and the 18th in program history.

Bonnies move on to the semifinals facing Duquesne on Saturday afternoon at Barclays. The quarterfinals saw every higher seed get eliminated. Saint Joseph’s defeated Richmond, VCU got by UMass and Duquesne sent Dayton home, while the Bonnies upset Loyola Chicago. 

“I thought we showed great toughness…it wasn’t pretty but we made the plays.” – Mark Schmidt