By Zach Waltz
Sports Assignment Editor
The women’s basketball team will face the Charlotte 49ers today at 7 p.m. in the Reilly Center for the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
The Bonnies received an automatic berth in the WNIT because they were the highest-ranking team in the Atlantic 10 that did not get invited to the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
The first round of the WNIT began March 19. St. Bonaventure is one of four teams from the A-10 in the WNIT, joining Duquesne, George Washington and VCU.
The women finished with a record of 23-10, with an 11-5 conference record. The team is led by redshirt forward Chelsea Bowker, who averaged 9.6 points per game and finished third in the A-10 with 82 three-pointers made.
Aside from her offensive contribution, Bowker provides upperclassman leadership for an otherwise underclassmen-filled core.
Sophomore forward Katie Healy leads the team in points per game with 16 and also averages 7.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Healy was named to the all-conference first team and A-10 Most Improved Player of the Year.
Joining her in the post is sophomore forward Hannah Little, who averages 10.4 points and 8.9 rebounds and broke the school record for rebounds in a season with 295 (and climbing), earning her A-10 Sixth Woman of the Year honors.
The Bonnies back court is made up of sophomore guard Nyla Rueter, who was named third team all-conference, and sophomore guard Emily Michael, who provides lockdown defense on a consistent basis.
The 49ers come into the WNIT with a record of 15-15 and a 9-7 conference record.
They lost in the second round of the Conference USA tournament to Louisiana Tech 64-55. They are led in scoring and rebounding by redshirt junior forward Gabby Tyler, who averages 12 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Charlotte’s lineup features senior guard Ny Hammonds, who averages 11.4 points and 5.8 assists per game.
Coach Jim Crowley, who was named A-10 Coach of the Year for the third time, said the Bonnies have been trying to stay in game shape since their last game came in the A-10 Tournament on March 8 against Fordham, in which they lost 73-32.
“We haven’t played in a while, so we have to make sure we stay fresh,” Crowley said. “We have to keep our lungs game-ready.”
Crowley said the matchup against Charlotte allows the Bonnies to prepare for a team they are very familiar with, having played them in the A-10 since 2005 until this season.
“We have to prepare for Charlotte, which we have some familiarity with having played them the last few years as a member of the A-10,” Crowley said. “We know a little bit about their style of play and some of their players.”
The most crucial thing, according to Crowley, is the Bonnies play the same way they’ve been playing all year and control what they can control.
“Most importantly, we’re doing what we’ve done all year, which is focus on ourselves,” Crowley said. “We’re getting better at what we do and making sure people know what they can take advantage of.”
Crowley said the period between games will be a factor in how well the Bonnies play, but they will be in game shape when game time comes.
“We’ve gotten to where I think we’re back in shape,” Crowley said. “There will still be some rust having not actually competed live for two weeks, but I do think we’ve shaken that off.
Crowley said the Bonnies’ coaching staff has done a good job scouting Charlotte, so they should be well-prepared for the game.
“I have a great staff who will give us really good information about Charlotte,” Crowley said.
Crowley said the team is not looking at the game with a win-or-go-home mentality, but they are focusing on doing everything they can do to prepare for the game.
“You don’t want to leave anything in the last game, but most importantly, we want to make sure we play the best we’re capable of,” Crowley said. “If you start thinking about putting that pressure of win or go home on yourself, it’s going to affect how you play.”
Despite poor attendance throughout the regular season, Crowley said he is hopeful that a large crowd will be in attendance in tonight’s game, as the Bonnies are 12-1, at home this year and a full Reilly Center will give the team a spark.
“Hopefully, we do have a big crowd,” Crowley said. “Certainly, we hope the community comes out. More than that, we hope the students come out. I believe we have the best student section in the country on the men’s side.
“Hopefully, we get a little bit of that for our kids. We’ve had games lately where the crowds got bigger, and I think that energized us and helped us win games.”
If the Bonnies win, they will face the winner of Bowling Green and High Point in the second round which will take place March 22-25.
