ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Chris Johnson matched a career high with 19 points, Demitrius Conger poured in 17 and Matthew Wright 15 as St. Bonaventure (6-5) cruised to an 82-55 victory over Saint Francis (3-9, 2-0 NEC) at the Reilly Center on Friday.
The Red Flash did not record a field goal over the first 7:08 of the game as the Bonnies – who played without Andrew Nicholson for all but nine minutes due to foul trouble – jumped out to a 10-point cushion, 12-2, by the first media timeout.
Johnson hit 9-of-10 from the line and 5-of-9 from the field to match his best scoring output to date. He also scored 19 against Canisius 13 days ago (5-9 FGs, 7-8 FTs).
St. Bonaventure used a 9-0 run, powered by four of Jake Houseknecht‘s career-high eight points, and led 30-11 at the 9:19 mark of the opening stanza. SBU closed out the half on an 11-3 charge highlighted by Wright’s 3-pointer off a set play in the Bonnies’ final possession.
The trifecta gave Bona its first lead of over 20 points at 49-28, a margin that the Red Flash would break just once for the remainder of the game.
Charlon Kloof passed out a career-high six assists and committed no turnovers, freshman Youssou Ndoye grabbed a personal-best seven boards and classmate Jordan Gathers recorded the first points of his career on a pair of free throws.
Nicholson was whistled for two fouls within the first 47 seconds of game action and sat the rest of the first half. He returned in the second half, making three of his four attempts from the field – including a 3-pointer – in nine minutes of work.
The Bonnies conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule Dec. 30 in game against historical rival Niagara. SBU has not defeated Niagara since Nov. 24, 2001, a streak of eight consecutive for the Purple Eagles (4-8, 0-2 MAAC).
NOTES: Chris Johnson earned his first career start and hit 9-of-10 free throws … Da’Quan Cook did not play for disciplinary reasons … Walk ons Danny Farrell and Zach Moore also drew their first action of the season … Wright made four of the Bonnies five 3-pointers (4-7) … Conger played 36 or more minutes for the third straight game.
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