By Carson Hayek, Staff Writer
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — The St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team hosts Colgate University on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Reilly Center, marking the two squads’ first meeting since 1997.
Riding a four-game win streak, the Bonnies enter the contest 9-1. They defeated the University at Buffalo 77-69 on Saturday, Dec. 6. Six Bonnies recorded at least 10 points, and senior forward Frank Mitchell recorded a team-high 13 rebounds.
St. Bonaventure men’s basketball head coach Mark Schmidt said the Bonnies’ success with players off the bench must carry on.
“I think it’s important if we can get production off the bench,” Schmidt said. “You can’t win with your first five guys. [Our bench guys] are playing well. They’re still learning… but we rely on those guys to bring something to the team. We have got production from them so far, and that needs to continue.”
The Bonnies outrebounded Buffalo 36-21, held a 13-6 advantage in steals and outscored the Bulls 15-8 on fast-break points and 14-9 on second-chance points.
Colgate sits at 6-4, also riding a four-game winning streak, and defeated Division III St. John Fisher 94-50 on Saturday, Dec. 6. Raiders sophomore guard Ben Tweedy led the team in scoring with 23 points, while first-year forwards Ayomi Odetoyinbo and Andrew Alekseyenko both registered eight rebounds.
Against St. John Fisher, the Raiders scored 56 points in the paint, 28 off turnovers and 31 from their bench. Colgate shot 62.9% from the field and 31.8% from three.
On Nov. 30, the Raiders defeated Atlantic 10 member Fordham 72-62 and held them to 17 first-half points. Schmidt praised Colgate’s defense.
“They force contested jump shots,” Schmidt said. “They have a shot blocker that can come off the bench, they do a good job keeping the ball in front of them, and they get in passing lanes. They are well coached, they have a culture, and they understand team defense.”
The game will air on ESPN+. Radio coverage will be available on the Bonnies Online Network, 100.1 FM Bradford & Olean, 1340 AM Jamestown, 106.9 FM Hornell and 92.1 FM Rochester.
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