St. Bonaventure-Syracuse game analysis
Game Analysis: Syracuse played like one of the top five teams in the country during the second half and put together a 14-4 run to start the final 20 minutes then coasted to beat St. Bonaventure, 85-72.
How St. Bonaventure Lost: The Bonnies didn’t shoot well beyond the arc for the game and connected on only two in the second half. They were also outrebounded, 39-32, and committed 18 turnovers.
Turning Point: The game was probably already getting out of hand when Andrew Nicholson was tossed from the game for hitting Andy Rautins in the groin. There was 8:29 left in the game and the Bonnies were trailing 71-57. But Nicholson was enjoying a big game at the time and any chance of the Bonnies making a comeback suddenly turned to vapor. Nicholson was 9 of 10 from the floor for 18 points and five rebounds in 32 minutes.
Co-players of Game: Hard to pick just one so let’s go with Syracuse’s Rick Jackson and Wes Johnson. Jackson had 18 points and 10 boards and Johnson has 17 and 10. Jackson made eight field goals and Johnson six. Both took 11 shots.
Stat of the Game: Syracuse shot 26 free throws while the Bonnies went to the line only 12 times. Shocking, isn’t it?
He Said It: “”it’s not like we were playing the Sister of the Poor’’ – St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt.
In the House: Former Syracuse star Danny Schayes was among the 20,578 at the Carrier Dome.
Next Up: The Bonnies take on back-to-back Big 4 rivals first on Tuesday at Niagara and Dec. 30 against Canisius.
---Rodney McKissic
