BY: WILL NUNN, SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Photo Courtesy of gobonnies.com
The St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team has had a difficult season. The Brown and White sit last in the Atlantic 10 standings at 6-22, and 2-15 in conference play.
One of the main catalysts for the Bonnies’ struggles has been their lack of offensive output. Their 53.3 points per game ranks last in the conference and 10th-worst in the country. They also rank 22nd worst in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting just 36% from the field.
Bonaventure has scored less than 50 points in eight of their last 11 contests and has eclipsed 70 points just twice all season.
The leading scorer on the season for the Bonnies is senior guard Dani Haskell, who paces the team averaging 13.1 points per game. Only two other players average in double figures, freshman guard Zoe Shaw, scoring 10.9 points per game and senior guard Isabellah Middleton adding 10.3 points in the eight games she has played this season.
Bonaventure head coach Jim Crowley highlighted the team’s lack of chances around the rim as a reason for the scoring woes, adding that opportunities in the paint can increase the quality of their perimeter offense.
“We need to continue to get more post touches,” said Crowley. “Not only get shots close to the rim but demand the defense has to stop that so that we can get a little more clearing on the perimeter.”
Quality shots have not come easy for the Bonnies all season. Along with being last in the conference in field goal percentage, they also make just 19 shots per game, also last in the A-10.
Another challenge for the Bonnies this season has been ball security. Bonaventure averages 17 turnovers per game and has lost the turnover battle in 19 of their 28 contests thus far.
Minimizing the amount of turnovers often leads to success for the Bonnies. When they win the turnover battle, the Bonnies are 3-3 on the season, as opposed to 3-19 when they lose or tie the turnover margin.
Crowley acknowledged the impact that taking care of the basketball and operating a clean offense has on their offensive output.
“I think our passing needs to be a little more crisp and accurate,” said Crowley. “We need to continue to be ready on the perimeter. We’re getting ready after catches, especially late in the clock, which impacts our shooting.”
Inaccurate passes and late reactions are a recipe for poor shot selection from beyond the arc. This is evident in the Bonnies’ 31% rate from three, which ranks ninth in the A-10.
As the end of the regular season and the A-10 tournament approach, the Bonnies will look to turn the tide offensively, sharpening passes, limiting turnovers and creating better shot opportunities both in the paint and on the perimeter.
