By Carson Hayek, Sports Staffer
PITTSBURGH — The St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team’s season ended Friday afternoon following a 68-63 loss to Dayton in PPG Paints Arena.
The loss also marked the end of Mark Schmidt’s tenure, the Bonnies’ winningest coach in program history, after 597 games.
The Bonnies trailed the Flyers 30-27 at halftime, but had several chances to take the lead late in the second half. In the final two minutes, Bonnies guards, Dasonte Bowen and Cayden Charles, missed a combined five free throws. Schmidt, however, said the game was not decided by the missed free throws.
“Everybody will look at the missed foul shots at the end,” Schmidt said. “As I tell the team all the time, the game is never lost at the end. There are so many plays from beginning to end. I thought our guys played hard and we were right there at the end.”
The Flyers held Bowen to just seven points and 1-for-8 from the field. Dayton head coach Anthony Grant said slowing down Bowen played a major role in the victory.
“Dasonte is the head of the snake,” Grant said. “He sets the table for everybody and gets everyone going. He got in foul trouble, and he was a key for us. If we made it hard for him, we knew we could take away some of the things they had success with.”
Friday’s 5-point loss marks the 11th loss for the Bonnies by six or fewer points this season.
“We lost a lot of close games,” Schmidt said. “If we didn’t have character guys and guys that loved each other, we would have splintered a long time ago. They hung in there and supported each other. The guys are devastated, but as I told them, if this is the worst thing that happens to you, you have a really good life.”
Bonnies junior guard Buddy Simmons scored a team-high 20 points while senior forward Frank Mitchell added 16 points and six rebounds. Mitchell gave praise to his time at Bonaventure.
“I experienced Bonaventure from another side,” Mitchell said. “I wouldn’t trade [my time here] and wouldn’t go to any other school than right here. If I could, I would stay another year. The coaching staff loves me for me. I love Bonnies, and I will be a Bonnie for life.”
Despite winning just four Atlantic 10 Conference games throughout the regular season, Schmidt said he felt satisfied with his final year of coaching.
“I wish we could go on and win the national championship,” Schmidt said. “You are disappointed in seeing the players’ faces after losing, but I am content and can’t wait to [get out of this press conference and get to retirement].”
Grant weighed in on Schmidt’s departure from Bonaventure.
“He’s one of the greats,” Grant said. “It’s rare that you see a coach [stay at the same place] for that long. If you were around him, he’s a good dude to be around. Always has a smile on his face, is always happy, and always lightens up the mood. He had a great career.”
Schmidt left with one final piece of advice for the next generation of basketball players.
“There’s no substitute for hard work,” Schmidt said. “You have to earn everything. You can’t live in the big house and drive the nice car without working at it. Nothing is given to you. If you work at it, you give yourself a chance.”
Bonaventure will look for a new head coach for the first time in 19 years.
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