Photo: Joseph Debell / The Bona Venture
BY: CARSON HAYEK, SPORTS EDITOR
Following a 14-1 start, which was the best start to a season for Bonaventure since the 1969-70 Final Four squad, there was extreme optimism about the Bonnies. So much so that the program received four votes in mid-December for the AP Top 25 poll.
Since then, numerous struggles transpired. The Bonnies are 2-5 since Jan. 8, all of which against conference opponents in the Atlantic 10.
Through St. Bonaventure’s first 15 contests, they allowed an average of 61 points per game while scoring 73 points per contest. Since Jan. 8 the Bonnies have allowed 70 or more points five times and scored 70 or more just twice.
Following a loss against George Mason, head coach Mark Schmidt noted that the team needed to get off to faster starts to return to their winning ways.
“It was the first ten minutes of the game,” said Schmidt. “We can’t get down by 15 to [to start games]. We did a better job in the last 20 minutes of the game, but we can’t get off to a bad start and get down to a really talented team. We’ve just got to get off to a better start.”
Since that statement, the Bonnies have outscored their opposition 72-57 in the first half of the last two games.
After having a 33-25 lead at halftime against the VCU Rams on Jan. 24, the second half haunted them. The Bonnies were outscored 50-28.
According to Schmidt, VCU made a response the Bonnies couldn’t answer.
“Against VCU we played for 22 minutes,” said Schmidt. “I thought we played really hard, and the effort was there, but when they made a run, we couldn’t answer it. [When VCU] makes their run at their place it gets loud and it’s hard to keep disciplined. It’s hard to win on the road.”
Even with the recent struggles, Schmidt emphasized the importance of character in getting back on track.
“Life is going to hit you and throw a lot of curveballs, and you’re going to have to deal with it,” said Schmidt. “I thought [when we got down] our character showed, and we didn’t lay down. It was good to see.”
The optimism provided by Schmidt appeared to be well received as the Bonnies defeated the Dayton Flyers 75-53 Tuesday night. The 22-point defeat for the Flyers was the largest of the season so far.
Schmidt said that he saw growth in his team’s ability to play a full 40 minutes along with getting back to their defense-first blueprint.
“The effort was there for a full 40 minutes,” said Schmidt. “We didn’t play perfectly, but I thought the effort overcame the deficiencies. I think the guys realized that you win in this league by playing defense and rebounding, and not outscoring people. If we can do that, we have a chance to be successful.”
With the magnitude of a Dayton win and energetic Reilly Center, the question arises of whether the Bonnies can ride the momentum going forward. Senior guard and team captain Melvin Council Jr. believes so.
“[It provides] a lot,” said Council. “We love our fans and when they come out and bring it, we have to put a show on for them.”
The Bonnies will have their next chance to “put on a show” on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12:30 p.m. when they host Fordham.
