Courtesy of GoBonnies.com
For the second time this week, St. Bonaventure nearly overcame a big second half deficit, but on Saturday the Bonnies fell short at Rhode Island, 71-59. The loss snapped a three-game win streak and dropped the Bonnies to 5-3 in the Atlantic 10.
The Bonnies trailed by 10 points at halftime and 14 points midway through second half. Jaylen Adams, who led all scorers with 25 points, sparked an 11-0 run that pulled the Bonnies within 55-52 with 3:54 left. But that was as close as St. Bonaventure could get.
St. Bonaventure endured a tough afternoon shooting, connecting on only 29 percent (18-61) of its shots. Rhode Island’s front line had much to do with that, blocking 15 Bona shots.
Freshman Josh Ayeni scored 10 points. Matt Mobley had nine points and Denzel Gregg added eight. Both Mobley and Gregg grabbed 11 rebounds.
How It Happened:
Rhode Island started hot, making its first five shots to go ahead 12-7.
Jaylen Adams tied the game at 12 with a three-pointer at the 13:05 mark, but he was called for his second foul shortly after that and went to the bench.
The Rams then pulled ahead, using a 10-2 run to open a 22-14 lead by the 8:24 mark.
The Bonnies were not able to cut into the URI lead the rest of the first half, ending with a 32-22 deficit at halftime.
Foul troubles were a factor in the first half as Denzel Gregg was called for three while Idris Taqqee and Matt Mobley picked up two each.
The Bonnies’ 22 points in the first half were a season low.
Rhode Island scored the first five points of the second half.
Taqqee and Adams made back-to-back three-pointers to cut the deficit to 41-33, but Rhode Island answered back and opened a 47-33 lead at the 14:38 mark.
Adams was called for his fourth foul midway through the second half.
It was a 49-39 game but URI scored the next six points to take a 53-39 advantage with 8:49 to play.
Adams and Josh Ayeni sparked an 11-0 run that pulled the Bonnies within 55-52 with 3:54 left.
The Rams then ended the Bona run with back-to-back scores inside by Hassan Martin that made it 60-52.
St. Bonaventure could not pull any closer than six points from that point.
Beyond The Boxscore:
St. Bonaventure’s 59 points are a season low.
Mobley and Gregg’s 11 rebounds are both one short of their season highs.
The Bonnies tied their season high with 19 offensive rebounds, and out-rebounded the Rams by one overall, 42-41.
Up Next: St. Bonaventure will travel to Pittsburgh to face Duquesne next Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the first of two meetings with the Dukes this season. Tipoff will be 8 p.m. on the American Sports Network.
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