By Aaron M Smith
17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
Put those numbers next to any player’s name in the stat column at the end of a game and most opinions will gravitate towards the complimentary “good game” category. When those numbers happen in the first 8 minutes and 5 seconds of a game, you have a performance most will be talking about for the rest of the season.
St. Bonaventure’s Megan Van Tatenhove did just that on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Xavier Musketeers. The senior forward scored 17 of her game high 24 points in the first 8 minutes and 5 seconds of the game as the #22/25 ranked Bonnies cruised to its 14 th consecutive victory with a convincing 66-48 win over the Musketeers.
The victory kept SBU’s A-10 conference record at a perfect 12-0.
With her parents in the crowd for Senior Day, the forward from Sheybogan Falls, Wisconsin scored the first 15 points of the game for the Brown and White as they raced to an early 21-7 lead and never looked back. For the game, Van Tatenhove finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks for the game making her the selection for A-10 Performance of the Week.
Van Tatenhove is currently the reigning A-10 Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds in 2 conference games last week. Her heroics included a last second jumper as the Bonnies rallied to shock a very good Dayton Flyers basketball team, 56-55.
“I think it’s the feel good story in the A-10 right now,” Xavier coach Amy Waugh said. “What coach Crowley has done and this group of seniors- they deserve credit. They’ve done a great job all year long, and they deserve everything they have gotten so far. ”
Van Tatenhove and the Bonnies will look to continue their winning ways this Wednesday, as they host Fordham at the Reilly Center. Tip off is set for 7 pm.
Thoughts on the selection? What is your nomination for Performance of the Week?
Hard to argue with Van Tatenhove after that impressive display. I’m looking at senior forward Kelly Cavallo from SJU as my performance of the week. She scored in double figures for both games this week, including an upset victory over Charlotte that has her Hawks in position to earn a first round bye in the A-10 tournament. She shot 67% from the field, and altered numerous shots in both victories. She keyed a huge second half run in the victory over Charlotte. Last years Patrica Ryan Unsung Hero recipient deserves some credit for her Hawks being were they are