BY TOM SEIPP, MANAGING EDITOR.
One of the main questions coming into today’s game was if St. Bonaventure’s lack of games so far this season due to COVID-19 postponements would hurt them at Rhode Island. Instead, it was their lack of depth that hurt the team as they fell 63-57 at the Ryan Center Wednesday.
Even when the Bonnies were within 4 points with 2:00 left in regulation, similar to their play up to this point in the game, more turnovers and missed shots put this game away for the Rams.
It was an ugly game from the tip, as both teams struggled to limit their turnovers as the two combined for 44.
The Bonnies had an early lead, but with the team’s lack of depth, they eventually fell behind and had to battle back and forth in the first half and play behind the entire second half.
With the loss of Justin Winston, the lack of forward depth proved to be crucial for the Bonnies. When Jalen Adaway exited the game for a break, with Jalen Holmes on the bench as well after an early exit, head coach Mark Schmidt went with a Kyle Lofton – Anthony Roberts – Eddie Creal – Dominick Welch combination.
When Schmidt went to this combination, URI was able to fight back into it.
Gary Nease, the voice of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team, said mid-game that Jaren Holmes, who only played the first 89 seconds of the game, was dealing with back spasms. He didn’t return for the remainder of the game. The Bonnies bench was limited in Wednesday’s contest.
Rhode Island dominated on the glass throughout the entire game, as they out-rebounded St. Bonaventure 42-29.
St. Bonaventure’s defensive effort was there, as Rhode Island didn’t score a field goal over the final 2:54 of the game. The Bonnies were able to contain Fatts Russell, who had 29 in their previous meeting, to just nine points on 2-9 shooting.
Adaway had his best game in brown and white as he finished with 12 points along with six rebounds and three assists. Lofton finished with 13 points.
The Bonnies MVP through their first two games, Osun Osunniyi, struggled mightily in the conference opener. Osunniyi finished with just eight points on 4-for-12 shooting; he fouled out in just 27 minutes. Jalen Shaw played well in his place, scoring two layups and corralling three rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
The Bonnies will now travel to Richmond, Virginia as they are set to take on the preseason favorite Richmond Spiders Saturday at 5 p.m. on CBSSN.
Coach Schmidt nor players were available postgame.
