Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY: ANDREW HALE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team picked up their third consecutive win to begin the season Wednesday night, defeating Florida Gulf Coast University 74-65.
A jumper by FGCU (0-3,0-0 ASUN) junior guard Jevin Muniz, giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead three minutes into the game, would be the last time FGCU would hold an advantage.
However, 3-pointers from redshirt freshman forward Duane Thompson and redshirt sophomore Jonah Hinton helped push the Bonnies (3-0, 0-0 A-10) out in front early.
Thompson finished with seven points in as many minutes, shooting 2-2 from three and 2-3 from the field.
“I thought Duane [Thompson] came off [the bench] and hit those two big threes in the first half, which was key,” Schmidt said.
The Bonnies would ultimately control most of the first half; however, a couple of Eagles runs – including a 9-0 to end the half – kept them within striking distance.
Both teams had a near identical half, shooting-wise, as the Bonnies and Eagles finished the half shooting 41% from the field. From 3-point range, Bonaventure shot 33%, while the FGCU shot 35%.
Senior guard Chance Moore finished the first half with a team-high 10 points. Hinton finished with eight points, shooting 68% from 3-point range in the first half.
As the Bonnies maintained their lead throughout the second half, the team stepped defensively, holding FGCU to 37% from the field and 23% from three. Bonaventure also scored 18 points off of 12 Eagles turnovers.
“I thought we defended decently, especially in the second half,” Schmidt said. “[FGCU’s] a good team.”
Schmidt said the team came into the game with a collective mindset as 11 different Bonnies touched the floor against the Eagles.
“Everybody’s going to have their day in the sun, as I told them in the locker room,” Schmidt said. “You just got to be ready when your name is called to go out there and produce, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Eagles graduate guard Zavian McLean finished with a team-high 16 points, shooting 70% from the field.
Moore finished with a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Bonnies graduate center Noel Brown finished with 13 points, shooting 6-9 from field goal range. Junior guard Dasonte Bowen and Hinton both ended the game with 11 points.
The Bonnies return home to face Le Moyne on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.
halea22@bonaventure.edu
