By Carson Hayek, Sports Staffer
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — The St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team, which has not lost to Saint Joseph’s University at home since March of 2013, faces the Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Reilly Center.
The Bonnies (14-11, 3-9 A-10) come off their ninth loss, decided by 10 or fewer points this season, to Duquesne University 78-73 on Saturday. In the defeat, Bonaventure senior forward Frank Mitchell led all players with 20 points and 13 rebounds, marking his 50th career game scoring in double figures.
Saint Joseph’s (15-10, 7-5 A-10) has dropped its last two contests, including to Fordham, 68-64 on Tuesday. Hawks freshman guard Austin Williford recorded a team-high 19 points, while junior forward Anthony Finkley grabbed eight rebounds.
The Hawks defeated the Bonnies 68-64 on Jan. 14 at Hagan Arena earlier this season. The Bonnies had a 64-60 lead with 2:35 left in regulation, but the Hawks scored the final eight points of the contest.
Bonnies head coach Mark Schmidt said his team needs to be better at finishing games.
“I believe our kids are fighting,” Schmidt said. “We just aren’t making the play when we need to make the play. The other team is making those plays. Hopefully, in the next six games, that changes, and we can finish some of these games.”
Schmidt also spoke on the team’s accountability during the losses.
“We have character guys,” Schmidt said. “When you lose, everybody holds themselves accountable. [That includes] coaches, players, and managers. That’s how it is. We are fighting, and we haven’t given up. We are right there. The only game we didn’t compete in is the Saint Louis game.”
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