Bonnies stifle Siena, 75-55, to retain Franciscan Cup

Courtesy of GoBonnies.com

ALBANY, N.Y. — Behind a stellar defensive effort and 40 points combined from Matt Mobley and LaDarien Griffin, St. Bonaventure rolled to a 75-55 win at Siena on Wednesday in the annual Franciscan Cup game.

The Bonnies earned their fourth win of the season by limiting Siena to 34 percent shooting from the field, including a first half in which the Saints made only six of 25 shots (24 percent).

The Brown and White seized control late in the first half thanks mainly to the defense. St. Bonaventure led 22-20 when Mobley drained a three-pointer and then Josh Ayeni worked inside for a score to give the Bonnies a seven-point cushion. Siena managed only three points over the final 5:09 before halftime, and the Bonnies extended their lead to 35-21.

The second half began much in the way the first ended, as the Bonnies pushed their lead to 20 points less than four minutes in. From there, the Saints never came closer than 13 points.

Mobley led all scorers with 22 points, going 4-8 from behind the arc and 6-7 at the free throw line. He added eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Griffin posted his second career double-double with a career high 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding four assists. Senior Idris Taqqee played his best game of the season with 13 points and six rebounds to go with sticky defense on Siena leading scorer Nico Clareth, who scored nine points on 2-10 shooting. Sophomore center Amadi Ikpeze scored a season-high eight points.

St. Bonaventure (4-2) has now won consecutive Franciscan Cups. Siena dropped to 1-5.

Stats Of The Game
Defensive field goal percentage: the Bonnies limited Siena to 34 percent shooting (18-53) including 4-20 (20 percent) from three-point range. 

Beyond The Boxscore

• This was the 40th meeting between the schools; the Bonnies now hold a 30-10 series lead.
• St. Bonaventure won at the Times Union Center for the first time since 2011.

Up Next: St. Bonaventure will travel to face Big 4 rival Buffalo this Saturday, Dec. 2, at Alumni Arena. Game time will be 2:00.