BY TOM SEIPP, MANAGING EDITOR.
In Atlantic 10 play, it’s not common when you feel like a game is a must-win in the beginning of January. Saturday was different in St. Bonaventure’s big win, 69-66, at Richmond.
The Bonnies led the entire second half, but they would need a deep three from Kyle Lofton with 2.8 seconds left to give them the win.
“He’s a big-time player, you want the ball in his hands at the end of the game to make a play,” head coach Mark Schmidt said on Lofton.
It seemed like it was a completely different squad in the brown and white after their loss against Rhode Island Wednesday, as the team was able to control the rebounding and limited their turnovers at a much-improved rate.
The Bonnies were in control in a back and forth game (16 ties and 4 lead changes) and held on for the last 20 minutes, as they were able to out-rebound Richmond 38-29. Even with the Bonnies struggling from three-point range, shooting 5-for-18, they were able to shoot incredibly well from inside the arc, shooting 54%.
St. Bonaventure was able to jump out to an early lead and led for 31:43 of the 40 minutes.
The most evident factor of today’s game was Jaren Holmes’s return.
After Holmes missed the majority of the game against Rhode Island, the Bonnies struggled defensively and with their ball security on Wednesday. With Holmes back from injury, the Bonnies improved drastically in those categories.
Holmes finished with a team-leading 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting, including knocking down two threes. With Holmes on the floor, St. Bonaventure outscored Richmond by 15.
“He’s just a glue guy, makes all the right plays, had big shots, he’s a big part of our team,” Schmidt said. “That’s what we were missing at the Rhode Island game, that toughness, he brings that… He makes winning plays.”
Along with Lofton’s gigantic three, he finished with 16 total points on 5-for-9 shooting with three assists.
Osun Osunniyi returned to form today, as he was able to corral 13 rebounds in 37 minutes. His presence was much needed in the post defensively.
The Bonnies did deal with foul trouble at times, as Dominick Welch had two in the first half and Kyle Lofton picked up his fourth with eight minutes left in the game. Head coach Mark Schmidt turned to Anthony Roberts, who had six first-half points, and A.J. Vasquez, who finished with five points, as guard depth.
The Bonnies now will head back to Olean and will face St. Joseph’s Wednesday on ESPN+.
Coach’s comments were limited after the game; no players were available. The next media availability will be Jan. 5.
