The Result:  The Bonnies used a Marcus Posley runner at the buzzer to stun Davidson by a score of 62-61 at Belk Arena on Wednesday night. The Bonnies and Wildcats traded baskets and lead changes throughout the entire game and after a three pointer from the Cats with 4.8 ticks left it looked like another tough loss for the Brown and White. But, Posley took a handoff from Ndoye at the foul line, went 75 feet in three plus seconds and sent the Bonnies to the showers as winners. The dub puts SBU at 5-4, tied with Davidson (actually ahead now given the tiebreaker). The game also snaps their two game losing streak and should give them some extra confidence with VCU coming into town this weekend.

How it Went Down:  The Bonnies started the game on an impressive 10-2 run, surprising much of the crowd (and myself) at Belk Arena. Despite the best efforts of Dion Wright and Marcus Posley (16 combined points), the Bonnies eight point lead turned into a four point deficit at the half.

Why?

Well, it was really for the same reasons you’d expect if you’ve watched SBU this season. Eight turnovers (12 points off turnovers for Davidson in the first half) gave the Wildcats far too many possessions, a few Bonnies took poor shots early in the clock and Davidson, who started cold, eventually hit 6-13 three pointers compared to the Bonnies 2-7. SBU is so often outscored on the three point line and it makes it hard to overcome given frequent turnover issues and shooting a poor percentage otherwise. They call the three point line the “great equalizer” in hoops and for good reason. Three point shooting can build leads quickly, make them go away just as fast or help mask poor play in other areas. No better example than this first half where SBU shot 4% better from the floor, and took more shots, but trailed by four points due to Davidson’s six trifectas.  Everyone knew going in that Davidson was going to shoot it from three, but for SBU to steal a win you figured they’d have to hold to to something like 10 threes and not 15. Individually, Posley and Dion Wright each scored eight points in the first 20 minutes while seniors Ndoye and Cumberbatch shot a combined 3-11 for seven points…not good enough. Ndoye was double and triple teamed at times on the catch making life for the center very difficult. Cumberbatch continued his zest for taking poor three pointers early in the shot clock as well but I won’t go there for now…onto the second half.

At the under 16 timeout the Bonnies trailed by one, cutting into the halftime margin. Dion Wright and Marcus Posley each made long two pointer jumpers in the stanza but the Bonnies missed three free throws in six tries. Davidson continued to push the pace and get open looks. Still the Bonnies had only two three pointers at this point, they’d surely have to start making some more to beat this team on the road right?

By the under eight minute media break it was 46-46 after an Ndoye dunk off a beautiful Jay Adams feed. Up to this point in the half the Bonnies held Davidson’s leading scorer Tyler Kalinoski scoreless in the half and tied it up despite a five minute scoreless draught. Denzel Gregg had a few monster blocks during this span that helped keep the Bonnies in the game despite more missed shots and some turnovers. The one area where SBU was struggling most to this point was at the foul line where they were just 6-12 with a shad over six minutes left to play.

By the under four minute break it was a three point SBU lead but a crappy block call on Gregg (who fouled out) would send the Cats to the line with a chance to pull within one. Ndoye, it should be noted, played very well in the second half, being very aware of the double teams coming his way, and either going over his right shoulder for lefty hooks or passing out of it quickly.

At 2:02 Ndoye was whistled for a charge after an empty three shot possession for SBU and had to be helped off the floor forcing Chris Dees into the game. SBU was then whistled for another tough call on a reach in (horrible bail out call) with seven seconds left in the shot clock sending Davidson back to the line (made 1-2). Schmidt was rightly upset after a string of calls went against the Bonnies. Schmidty then called a timeout with 1:21 left, SBU up one and Ndoye back in the contest.

Jay Adams went to the line after a hold on Davidson (double bonus) and made both but Davidson answered with an easy back door lay-up. SBU had the rock with a minute left but a missed Ndoye hook followed by Cumberbatch failing to grab the board out of bounds turned it over to the Cats with 47 ticks left down one. It was not a good night for Andell (2 points, 1-6 FG) by any means. Ndoye then blocked a Davidson shot, then Davidson missed another runner altered by the big man in the paint. Posley was fouled after hauling in the board and knocked down only 1-2 so with 15 ticks left Davidson trailed by two…you knew what was coming right?

What do you know…they hit a three from the wing to take the lead with four second left. Bonnies lose another tough one…

BUT…….

Posley gets the handoff from Ndoye… runs the length of the floor….runner…buckets….ball game…..62-61. Bonnies snapped Davidson’s year plus home winning streak.

You Knew It Was Over When:  Hmmmm….when Posley’s runner hit the bottom of the net with no time on the clock. Wow. That’s a career moment for the junior.  He bounced back in a big way after two poor games. Great night and moment for him after being bottled up by URI and La Salle.

Foe of the Game:  Brian Sullivan scored 17 points for the Cats on 6-13 shooting. He held them into the game in the second frame when SBU locked down on Tyler Kalinoski.

Bonnie of the Game: You’d have to go with Posley (19 points, seven rebounds) for this one given the game winning shot but Nodye played a HELL of a second half and kept the Bonnies in it with his shot blocking ability. Ndoye finished the game with 16, 12 and four blocks. All the Bonnies should be given credit for a solid defensive effort. SBU really went at Davidson in the key and used that advantage to earn a win.

Unsung Hero: Jay Adams. Nine points, seven boards, six helpers, two turnovers. That will work almost every night for a freshman point guard.

Good stats: Held Davidson to 61 points…wow. 39% defense. + 15 on the glass. 15 offensive boards. Led for 56% of the game. 9 blocks. A nice effort from the bench in the form of Gregg and Taqqee for a few minutes. Snapped Davidson’s year plus home winning streak. Good stuff.

Bad stats: Davidson shot 40% from three point land. Only shot 60% from the foul line (this game shouldn’t have come to a buzzer beater). That’s about it from a team standpoint and I’m too happy to go into negative player stat lines tonight.

I wasn’t surprised that: Davidson had success shooting it from three, BUT, give Schmidt and company credit. 9-22 is a whole lot better than say 14-31. SBU bent, but didn’t break and for that, I give them a ton of credit.

I was surprised that: Posley made his runner sending me onto my kitchen floor in joy followed by me ripping a celebratory shot. Generally SBU does not execute well on those plays (save Kloof’s runner at Niagara and Jordan’s three vs. SLU)….I actually thought we may not get a shot off but Marcus took it the length of the floor and dropped it in for the win. This was a huge win for the team giving the schedule that lies ahead. Best win of the season, without a doubt.

What’s Up Next:  VCU at 2PM in Olean on Saturday. I’ll be there. The entire Bona Blog staff will be there too, bright and early. Let’s go! Let’s knock off two quality teams in five days and then paint the town Saturday night like a bunch of maniacs.