Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY: ANDREW HALE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team plays its second consecutive road game Wednesday night, traveling to Fort Myers, Florida to battle Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Bonnies (2-0, 0-0 A-10) began their two-game road trip on Saturday, defeating Canisius University 87-78 and picking up their second win to begin the season. FGCU enters Wednesday’s clash having dropped their first two games of the season to UNC Greensboro and TCU, respectively.
Bonaventure and FGCU last played in December of 2022 when the Eagles defeated the Bonnies 71-58 in the Reilly Center.
While the two teams’ rosters have drastically changed from the 2022 matchup, Bonaventure head coach Mark Schmidt said the Eagles can still present problems.
“[FGCU is] well coached, they run good stuff,” Schmidt said. “[Head coach Pat Chambers] does a really good job with them. They beat us here two years ago pretty convincingly. So, we got a work cut out for us.”
The Eagles are led by graduate forward Keeshawn Kellman, who averages 16 points per game, shooting 79% from the field to begin the season. Last year, Kellman finished second overall in the nation, shooting 68% from field goal range.
“[FGCU] can shoot the ball,” Schmidt said. “They got good players, athletic. They can score.”
For the Bonnies, senior guard Chance Moore enters Wednesday coming off a 27-point performance against Canisius Saturday, earning himself Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors.
In two games, Moore averages 22 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game – both team highs.
“When [Moore’s] engaged and he’s disciplined and he’s playing the game the right way, he’s a really good player,” Schmidt said.
While Bonaventure has shot a mere 24% from 3-point range, Schmidt said the team will continue to shoot from behind the arc given open opportunities.
“If you’re open, shoot it. If you’re guarded, pass it. That’s our philosophy,” Schmidt said. “We’re not shying away from it. If we’re open, we’re going to shoot the ball.”
Tipoff from Alico Arena is set for 7 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+.
halea22@bonaventure.edu
