First thoughts after the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies’ 69-64 victory over the University of Rhode Island Rams.
By PAUL GOTHAM
How it happened
Denzel Gregg netted five of his game-and-career high 22 points in the closing moments as the Bonnies scored the contest’s final nine points. Gregg’s pull-up 3-pointer as the shot clock expired gave Bona a 65-64 edge (SBU’s first lead since the 18:21 mark of the second half) with 1:37 left in the game. The Syracuse, New York native converted a pair of free throws on the next possession. Dion Wright scored five and handed out an assist as the Bonnies jumped to a 9-0 lead to open the game. URI’s Hassan Martin converted a pair of baskets in the paint, and the Rams cut a 13-point deficit into four at 19-15. The Rams tied the score at 25 and grabbed their first lead of the game when Earl Watson took a hi-lo feed from Kuran Iverson and finished at the rim for a 31-29 edge. The Rams led by as many as five points. Marcus Posley scored 17 for Bona.
Getting defensive
Bona’s defense held URI without a point for the final 3:38. Coming out of a timeout with 6:08 remaining, the Bonnies forced the first of two shot-clock violations from the Rams. Over their final ten possessions, URI had seven empty trips – four turnovers and three missed shots. Getting into the paint off the dribble, the Rams opened the second half with makes on their first four trips and in eight of nine. After a timeout at the 15:04 mark, the Bonnies three-guard lineup, with different combinations of Jaylen Adams, Nelson Kaputo, Posley and Idris Taqqee, adjusted and took away the drive.
It’s the little things
Clinging to a three-point edge in the game’s final minute, the Bonnies ran clock. Posley’s three attempt from the top of the key found iron, but Taqqee grabbed his only offensive rebound of the night. Instinctively he passed the ball to Adams who was immediately fouled. How important was Taqqee’s decision? Adams leads the Bonnies from the line hitting 85.5 percent (65-of-76). Taqqee, on the other hand, is 9-for-17 (52.9 percent) on the season.
Free is free
The Bonnies outscored URI 26-10 at the free throw line. Bona hit 26 of 31 (83.9 percent). URI connected on 10 of 15. Gregg and Posley combined to go 21-for-23. SBU entered play leading the Atlantic 10 and fourth in the nation hitting 76 percent from the charity stripe.
Bona finished the game 18-for-43 from the floor. URI hit 24-of-59.
Double up
Wright finished the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds for his A-10 leading sixth double-double of the season. The senior forward added three assists and three blocks.
Hitting the boards
URI converted 14 offensive rebounds into a 17-8 advantage in second-chance points. Martin grabbed three offensive boards and scored a team-high 17 points. Kuran Iverson also grabbed three caroms on the offensive end and a team-high eight overall. URI outrebounded the Bonnies 35-31 and 14-7 on the offensive end.
Looking ahead
Bona (12-3/4-) travels to Pittsburgh, Saturday to take on the Duquesne Dukes (11-6/1-3). Rhode Island (10-7/2-2) will host La Salle (5-9/1-3).
Video courtesy of St. Bonaventure athletics.
OTHER GAMES IN THE ATLANTIC 10
Saint Joseph’s 87 George Mason 73
FAIRFAX, VA. – Isaiah Miles had 26 points and 10 rebounds and DeAndre’ Bembry posted 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead Saint Joseph’s to an 87-73 win over George Mason (6-11; 0-4) at the EagleBank Arena. READ MORE.
Richmond 83 La Salle 61
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Four players in double-figures led the Richmond men’s basketball team to a dominating 83-61 victory over La Salle for its second-straight win. READ MORE.
Duquesne 81 Saint Louis 71
PITTSBURGH – Derrick Colter scored 17 points and Darius Lewis added 10 points and a career high-tying 7 blocks as Duquesne snapped a four-game losing streak with a 81-71 win over Saint Louis at Palumbo Center. READ MORE.
Video courtesy of Duquesne athletics.
VCU 88 Fordham 54
Sophomore forward Justin Tillman exploded for a career-high 27 points and VCU shot 61 percent from the field, its highest in six years, on the way to an 88-54 dismantling of Fordham Wednesday at the Siegel Center. It’s VCU’s seventh straight victory. READ MORE.
Video courtesy of VCU athletics.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Dayton 80 Davidson 74
DAYTON – The University of Dayton Flyers (13-3, 3-1 A-10) defeated the Davidson Wildcats (10-5, 2-2 A-10) Tuesday, using a 19-0 run in the second half to key the victory. READ MORE.
Video courtesy of University of Dayton athletics.
George Washington 81 UMass 70
AMHERST, Mass. — On the road at Massachusetts on Tuesday night, the GW men’s basketball team improved to 14-3 on the season and 3-1 in A-10 play with its first in-conference road win of the year in an 81-70 victory over the Minutemen. READ MORE.
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