St. Bonaventure Rallies Late But Cannot Overcome 1st Half Deficit Losing to VCU 59-50

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies came out and looked loose and composed as they opened play in the Atlantic Ten Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. Then the game started and the old adage that “defense travels,” held true, but the same could not be said for the offense. 

The VCU rams used the first two quarters to jump ahead on the back of a half dozen shots made inside the paint as the Bonnies were not defending in transition off of the poor shooting performance that led numerous fast break opportunies for the Rams. 

What led to the final horn was something that was un-Bonnie like in the fact that the Bonnies simply lost focus. With ten seconds left, the Rams took the ball and ran a set play to score and go up 26-15. On the ensuing inbound, the Bonnies let down their guard and Ram forward, Isis Thorpe stole the ball and hit a desperation contested 3 that found the bottom of the tin to send the reeling Bonnies to the locker room down 14 to the home town Rams. 

The Bonnies known for second half heroics mounted a comeback at the start of the 3rd quarter. Fueled by Mariah Ruff from outside and Miranda Drummond driving and drawing fouls the Bonnies cut into the VCU lead and found themselves down ten with 10 to play. 

The fourth quarter began and those who follow the Bonnies knew something could be happening in the way that many games this year resulted in Bonnie wins. Following a Katie Healy block and a run out lay in to Miranda Drummond, the Bonnies inched to within 3 points and you could sense that this magical season for the Brown and White may continue. Following a VCU timeout called due to the Bonnie come back, Coach Erin O’Boyle drew up a set play that initially rimmed out but the hustle and scrappy play showed by VCU all through out the game reared its head again in finding the ball and putting the ball back in. 

Down the stretch, the Bonnies couldn’t find their groove and even Head Coach Jim Crowley, alluded to the fact that Bonnies simply have never shot well in the Richmond Coliseum. Despite holding the Rams under 60 points, the Bonnies couldn’t find enough scoring to hold off the surging Rams. After another missed shot and the Rams going 1 for 2 at the line for the third consecutive trip, the Bonnies chose to let the clock play out on the game and their NCAA post-season hopes.

Check the Blog out later for final stats, quotes (one where Katie Healy and Coach Crowley may have tipped their hand in knowing about WNIT invites) and hopefully the uploaded presser from Jim Crowley, Katie Healy and Mariah Ruff.