The 2012 Atlantic 10 tournament semifinals start with a #5/#1 match up between the St. Joseph’s Hawks and St. Bonaventure Bonnies. This figures to be the best atmosphere of the weekend, as the Bonnies have a tremendous following and the Hawks are playing on their home court, where they have won 14 of 16 games this season. Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, insights – we might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.
Grab a seat on the Pine for the day. Come early. Stay late. Check back often. Make sure to hit your refresh button.
The Bonnies won the only meeting this year, 68-61 the Brown and White’s Reilly Center on January 25, 2012. It was Doris Ortega, not first team all conference selections Jessica Jenkins or Megan Van Tatenhove, who was the difference as she poured in 20 points. The red-hot Michelle Baker who has scored 40 points in 2 A-10 tournament games this weekend, scored 12 points for the Hawks in the first meeting. Holding her to 12 points this time around will be a tall order.
#5 Saint Joseph’s(21-9/9-5) vs. #1 St. Bonaventure (28-2/14-0)
Projected Starting Lineups:
St. Bonaventure
Jessica Jenkins
Megan Van Tatenhove
Armeila Horton
Doris Ortega
Alaina Walker
St. Joseph’s
Michelle Baker
Ashley Prim
Katie Kuester
Samir van Grinsven
Kelly Cavallo
For the Hawks, this is their 18th appearance in the A-10 semi-finals. They are 10-7 in the previous 17 trips.
For the host, this is the 6th time they have made it to the semi-finals when hosting. They have hosted the Championship 8 times.
These teams have met just once in A-10 postseason. It was in 2009 and the Bonnies won that game, 72-65.
We are about 9 minutes from tip-off. There is a different kind of buzz in the crowd.
It is going to be a great afternoon of basketball.
courtside Hawks fan sets the vegas line at Bonnies -2.5. I’m a bit higher on the top seed, and am quoted at Bonnies -8.5. This feels like a home game for SBU, but both teams are supported well. 60 seconds and the story will begin to be told.
Van Tatenhove has come out very aggressive, looking to get to the rim. She converted on her first opportunity but has missed her last three. Without her confidence shaken a bit, she drove baseline for the hoop and the harm. Jenkins rattled home her first triple.
Baker (20ppg in A-10 tourney) has yet to have an impact. 8-4 Bonnies lead.
Van Tatenhove continues to go to work inside.
Ashley Prim is chasing Jessica Jenkins around the perimeter like Wild E Coyote follows the road runner.
Baker nails her patented pull up J at the left elbow. Bonnies lead 12-8.
The Bonnies lead increases by a point with Jenkins on the bench. Physical defense, both in the post and on the perimeter, has been key in the Bonnies ability to slow down the attack of the Hawks.
Baker showing signs of aggressiveness, as she has connected on two of her three shots.
SBU +6 in the paint, thanks to Van Tatenhove’s 9 points and 3 boards. 15-10 Bonnies at the 11:48 mark.
Jenkins (battling a cold) is picking and choosing her spots well. She seems to be fine with going through Van Tatenhove as a first option. She has made two open threes and a floater from the middle of the lane.
Baker 4/5 from the exact same spot, and set up another basket with a good find. The stars are shining bright in the early going.
SBU 21-16.
A sick Jenkins is making the Hawk faithful sick. Her last 3 shots (2 threes) have not grazed rim. A hot Jenkins has the ability to eliminate the drama from this game.
Bonnies up 26-18 with 5 minutes to play in the first half. Their dynamic duo of Jenkins and Van Tatenhove have outscored the Hawks 22-18 by themselves.
Given the dominance of Van Tatenhove and Jenkins, the 33-20 half time lead could be much worse for the home town Hawks.
The difference has been from long range, where the Bonnies have a +12 advantage.
On the defensive end, the Bonnies have held the Hawks to only 20 points on 37.5% shooting. They need improve their shot selection and slow down Van Tatenhove if they want any chance in this game. Jenkins could go cold, but Van Tatenhove’s lay ups are going to fall every single time.
Jenkins and Van Tatenhove open 0-3 while Baker makes her 2 shots and Prim adds 2 free throws.
The Hawks are collapsing on Van Tatenhove and spying Jenkins. Will another player step up?
Go Bonnies!!
Van Tatenhove’s struggles didn’t last long, as she responds with 5 straight.
Hawks have only 1 offensive rebound, as the Bonnies are boxing out well and contesting every shot.
Baker trying to put the Hawks on her back, keeping the Hawks within ear shot. A Kuester put back closes gap to 40-30
Red Sox Fan – you’re a loyal supporter and would be proud of this effort. A 3 point play pushes the margin to 13 momentarily. As long as Baker doesn’t end up with 30, this is Bonnies game.
Hawks have left 5 points at the FT line, 3 in the last 2 trips. Michelle Baker has been the key to their success during the tournament, and will need to be super human in the final 12 minutes.
She has made 8/10 shots, including all four this half.
Baker spots Prim for a triple, and then adds yet another pull up jumper. Lead down to 8, the smallest margin in more than 10 minutes. But the Hawks continue to struggle at the stripe (5/11).
Steal by Jenkins …. four dribbles down the center of the court, but there are two Hawks back. Jenkins pulls up from the three point line, not phased by the commotion around her and drains a big time trey to give the Bonnies a commanding 53-40 advantage with 9:17 to play.
Star Update: Jenkins + Van Tatenhove have 42. Hawks have 42 as well.
Hawks getting frustrated as Prim is issued a technical. Jenkins scores 4 points on the possession, and Horton adds a deuce.
Bonnies by 20, and the fans are making reservations for tomorrow nights championship game against the winner of Dayton/Temple. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 5pm.
Jenkins and Van Tatenhove are 16/28 from the field (57.1%). Rest of team is 7/19 (36.8%).
Bonnies flexing muscle with late run to ice the game. The blowout nature will give Coach Crowley the chance to rest his workhorses. With the next game projected to be a dog fight, the rest will pay dividends come tomorrow evening.
Bonnies lead 72-47 with 3:42 to play.
43 points thus far in the second half for SBU. St. Joe’s has 47 total points in 37+ minutes.
It’s a final, as the Bonnies advance to the A-10 championship by a score of 78-52.
Way to go, Bonnies!