Saint Bonaventure Cruises to Claim Franciscan Cup
The Franciscan Cup was on the line on Wednesday, and Saint Bonaventure and Siena were both hungry to bring it home. Saint Bonaventure came out strong and would top Siena in front of the home fans, 75-55.
What seemed like a high hope start for Siena, turned into complete disaster really quick. The Saints failed to move the ball inside, causing them to depend on the outside shooting, shooting 24% from the field. The ball rarely found the inside paint, and when it did, it was a guard with the ball. Saint Bonaventure played smart in the first half, causing Nico Clareth and Prince Oduro to draw two early fouls. Playing a zone cost Siena in the first half, with the lack of big men inside the points in the paint came easy. All you could hear Patsos yelling about was the lack of help defense by forwards down low. “The zone was clicking early, and we had chances where we could have made stops but we didn’t”. “Prince and Evan need to play better together”. The Bonnies would end the first half on a 21-5 run, and leave the Saints down fourteen at the half. LaDarien Griffin lead all scorers at the half with 11.
Nico started out the second half strong for Siena, but the trends of the first half rolled over into the second half. The main trend was Saint Bonaventure dominance. Siena would switch to man to man to start the second half, but again SBU would put the pedal to the medal getting to the paint. It showed in the second half that the Bonnies were just the bigger and better team in this contest. SBU was strong in the second half going 54% percent from the field. “We aren’t going to beat them with mistakes,” Coach Patsos added.
Ashante Shivers totaled 19 points, a career high. “Shivers gave it all, I couldn’t be prouder of him.” For Saint Bonaventure, Matt Mobley added 22 points and LaDarien Griffin totaled 18.
“It is a learning process,” Jimmy said after the game. “4-15 from 3 will not get it done against a team at that caliber”. “Mobley and Griffin showed us why they are in the A10 and we are in the MAAC.”
Jakemupstate@gmail.com • Jake Martino • @jakemupstate
