By Carson Hayek, Sports Staffer
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team kept its season alive with a 99-80 victory over La Salle University in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
Bonaventure led 48-33 at halftime and did not trail since the 14-minute mark of the first half. Bonnies senior forward Frank Mitchell said the team played with a sense of urgency, knowing that they sit one loss away from the season ending.
“There was a sense of urgency,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, we have a sense of urgency the whole season, but [if you lose] you can’t come back to the gym in the next day after you lose. It is win or go home, and there is a sense of urgency. We are trying to go out with a bang.”
La Salle failed to come within 12 points in the second half. Bonnies head coach Mark Schmidt credited his team’s defense for closing out the game.
“When you look at the stats it’s probably one of our better defensive performances,” Schmidt said. “They shot 43% [from the field], 25% from [three], and they made only four threes. Our offense was good, but I thought our defense picked up as the game went on.”
Offensively, the Bonnies had all five starters finish in double figures with junior guard Buddy Simmons scoring a team-high 21 points and Mitchell adding nine rebounds. The 99 points marked a season-high for Bonaventure.
Bonnies assistant coach Chris Lowe emphasized the importance of strong guard play in postseason play.
“It was a great effort, and everyone shared the ball and contributed to this win,” Lowe said. “I told our guys that in March our guards have to be at their best and they will take us as far as we can go. Dasonte Bowen, Buddy, and Cayden Charles were great.”
St. Bonaventure will face George Mason University tomorrow at 2 p.m. The Bonnies fell to the Patriots 77-73 and 71-58 previously this season.
Schmidt said the win against La Salle gives the Bonnies an advantage.
“The games become more and more difficult,” Schmidt said. “The first game allows you to get comfortable with the rims, the atmosphere, and I believe the team that plays on the court first has a little bit of an advantage.”
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