By Jonny Walker, Sports Assignment Editor
On St. Bonaventure’s opening possession against Southern Indiana Tuesday night in the Reilly Center, forward Chad Venning received the ball in the low post.
The 6-foot-10, 270-pound big man backed down his comparatively slender defender, spun to his left and laid the ball in off the glass with his right hand.
For the second-consecutive game, the Bonnies (3-2) continually relied on Venning’s presence near the basket — this time downing the Screaming Eagles (2-3), 80-66.
“Chad was terrific inside,” said Bona head coach Mark Schmidt. “We want to live in the paint. We want to throw the ball into the post — we’re going to take guys off the bounce.”
Venning, making his second-consecutive start, had 7 rebounds, a game-high 3 blocks and a career-high 21 points.
“Coach [Schmidt] tells me all the time [to] put my shoulder into guys,” said Venning. “Use my body — like really get into people and go up. I think that’s just been working for me so far”
Coming off a second half against Bowling Green where they made nine threes, the Bonnies attempted (and missed) just four in the first half Tuesday. Of Bona’s 30 first-half points, 22 came in the paint. For the game, the Bonnies made more free throws (19) than the Eagles attempted (17).
“We had balanced scoring,” said Schmidt. “Daryl [Banks III] is not going to be able to score 34 every game.”
While Banks’ scoring output (12) dropped significantly from last game, he pitched in two timely 3-pointers during a 16-5 Bonnies run midway through the second half. Forward Yann Farell made three threes during the run, which lasted 3:16 and culminated in an Eagles’ timeout with 11:20 left. It extended Bona’s lead from seven to 18.
Twice late in the game, USI narrowed the deficit to 11 with the help of guard Isaiah Swope. The five-foot-10 sophomore tied Venning’s game-high 21 points on 50% shooting.
But the Eagles shot less than 40% for the game, never leading after the 4:41 mark in the first half.
Schmidt credited his starting guards, Kyrell Luc and Banks, for Bona’s defensive success.
“I thought they both defended really well,” said Schmidt. “I thought in the first half they [USI] were a very perimeter-oriented team. Just keeping the ball in front of us was critical.”
Luc made Bona’s first 3-pointer of the game over two minutes into the second half. The five-foot-eleven point guard finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, six assists and 2 high-flying, acrobatic blocks.
“It’s just my job to be a pest on the court,” said Luc. “I have to get the loose ball, scramble — get chase-down blocks if I have to. I’ve just been playing my role, being a pest on defense, which makes my offense.”
With the win, Bona has won two straight and remains undefeated (3-0) at home this season.
However, Schmidt reiterated his focus on improvement over results in the non-conference schedule.
“We are not nearly where we need to be,” said Schmidt. “At times we look good; at times we look like we haven’t practiced. But we’re getting better.”
The Bonnies travel to UBS Arena in Belmont Park to battle Notre Dame Friday at 4 p.m.
“You’re always excited when you play an ACC team,” said Schmidt. “We want to play these types of games in those types of environments. It should be a great environment, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
walkerjc20@bonaventure.edu
