By Jonny Walker, Sports Assignment Editor
Just under five minutes into the second half of Saturday’s game against Bowling Green (2-2, 0-0), St. Bonaventure (2-2, 0-0) guard Daryl Banks III grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the ball up the right sideline and pulled-up from three.
Banks nailed the transition jumper with a hand in his face. The home crowd in the Reilly Center erupted, and Bowling Green called timeout.
The make pushed Bona’s lead to 13 in a game it would go on to win, 81-68.
“Without Daryl, we’re not winning the game,” said Bona head coach Mark Schmidt.
Banks scored a career-high 34 points on over 60% shooting from the field and from three. His seven made threes, including four in the first 5:05 of the second half, propelled the Bonnies ahead of the Falcons by as much as 20.
“I just came in with the focus on defense and let the defense dictate my offense,” said Banks. “They gave me energy. And then I just kind of got in the rhythm from there.”
Entering Saturday’s contest, the redshirt-junior transfer from Saint Peters had hit on just 32% of his 3-point attempts this season and was shooting a career-low 30% from the field.
“I got extra shots up this week to make sure to get back on track,” said Banks.
But Banks wasn’t the only Bonnie to get hot from three late.
Forward Yann Farell added on two made threes during Banks’ onslaught. Guard Kyrell Luc hit a three to push the lead to 19 early in the second half.
“More importantly, we got off to a good start in the second half,” said Schmidt, later adding, “We made some shots.”
For the Falcons, Guard Leon Ayers III scored 18 points on 53% shooting. His layup with just over eight minutes to go in the game cut Bona’s lead to nine.
“What happened when we were up by 20?” said Schmidt. “They outscored us by 10.”
Ultimately, Ayers and Bowling Green couldn’t keep pace with Bona’s red-hot 3-point shooting. For the game, Ayers shot 0-3 from deep and the team hit just three of 18 attempts.
At least for Saturday’s game, Schmidt said his team finally found a reliable inside presence in forward Chad Venning.
“I thought Chad had his best game since he’s been here,” said Schmidt. “Rebounding the ball and making his foul shots — being a presence inside … that’s what we need from him.”
Venning, making his first start as a Bonnie, had 15 points with seven rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes of action.
“I just tried to go after every offensive [and] defensive rebound I can,” said Venning. “I opened up a lot of opportunities just trying to go out after it.”
Saturday marked the first time this season Schmidt changed his starting lineup. Schmidt said the decision not to start forward Anouar Mellouk, who played just 10 minutes Saturday, came down to matchups.
“They [Bowling Green] started the big kid,” said Schmidt. “And we know … just watching tape, they always go inside early to the big guy. And Anouar is not the biggest guy.”
Despite Venning’s standout performance in Mellouk’s place, Schmidt stopped short of committing to him as a long-term solution.
“We have three big guys, and whoever plays better is going to play more,” said Schmidt. “If he stinks, he comes out.”
While Bona’s ability to hit outside shots defined its second-half offense, Schmidt’s squad shot just 3-13 from three in the first half. The Bonnies entered halftime with a seven-point lead despite their comparatively poor jump shooting.
In the first half, Bona relied on its slashing ability across its lineup.
From their shifty, agile guards in Banks and Luc to their long, slender forwards in Farell and Barry Evans, the Bonnies got to and finished efficiently at the rim while drawing fouls. Thus, they managed to cling to a single-digit lead for the majority of the first half.
Even the 6-foot-10, 270-pound Venning showcased his ability to put the ball on the floor late in the first half. With possession at the top of the key, Venning faked to his left, drove hard to his right and finished a right-handed layup off the back board.
Watching the spectacle of the big man’s dexterity, Venning’s teammates jumped up from the bench and the crowd exploded into cheers.
For Schmidt, Saturday’s win was about improvement.
“It was a step forward,” said Schmidt. “I think it gave our guys some confidence that we can compete.”
The Bonnies continue their two-game homestand Tuesday in the Reilly Center, hosting Southern Indiana. The game is set for tipoff at 7 p.m.
walkerjc20@bonaventure.edu
