Bonnies cruise to 67-44 win over SEMO at BTI Classic

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NORMAL, Ill. — Stifling defense and three players in double figures helped St. Bonaventure open play at the Basketball Travelers Classic on the campus of Illinois State with a convincing 67-44 win over Southeast Missouri State Friday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.

The Bonnies opened the game on a 15-0 run and never looked back en route to improving to 3-1 on the young season. After failing to hold an opponent to less than 50 points over the previous 275 games, St. Bonaventure has now held back-to-back opponents to 41 and 44 points, respectively.

Southeast Missouri State (1-4) shot just 32 percent from the floor and 6-of-16 from the free throw line. The Brown and White forced the Redhawks into 20 turnovers that led to a 25-6 advantage in points off turnovers.

On the flipside, the Bonnies finished above 50 percent from the field for third time in four games this season. St. Bonaventure sank 12-of-22 field goals in each half, going a combined 24-of-44 (55 percent) for the game. The rebound edge, 37-27, also went in favor of the Bonnies.

Sophomore Andrew Nicholson led the way with 15 points and a equaled a career-high with 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. The 6-foot-9 forward recorded the double-double by the end of the first half and finished 5-of-6 from the field and free throw line in 26 minutes.

Senior Chris Matthews turned in his best game of the season, connection on 4-of-6 from long range for a season-best 14 points. Like Nicholson, Matthews did most of his damage in the first half with 11 points. Fellow senior Jonathan Hall was the final Bonnie in double figures with 11 points.

Fresh off its best defensive effort in nearly 15 years during a 66-40 win over Binghamton, the Bonnies continued their strong defensive play throughout the first half.

St. Bonaventure jumped out a commanding 15-0 lead by holding Southeast Missouri State without a point over opening 9:42 of the game and its opening 14 possessions. Matthews was the offensive highlight during the run, as he hit pair of three-pointers. The Bonnies forced six SEMO turnovers during the run and held the Redhawks to 0-of-9 from the field.

The Bonnies’ continued to build on their led after the first Southeast Missouri State bucket thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by junior Ogo Adegboye and Matthews that pushed the score to 22-2 with 8:45 left.

Nicholson scored the team’s final eight points of the first stanza allowing the Brown and White to take an 18-point lead, 32-14, into the break. Nicholson recorded his fourth career double-double with 11 points and 10 boards in 19 minutes of work.

St. Bonaventure shot a solid 55 percent (12-22) from the floor over the opening 20 minutes, but was hampered by 13 turnovers. Southeast Missouri connected on just five fields in the first half and had 11 turnovers to zero assists.

The game was never in doubt in the second half, as the Bona lead dipped below 20 points for just over two minutes the entire final frame. The largest lead of the game (32), 62-30, came with 5:45 to play.

Junior Malcolm Eleby passed out a season-high six assists and came away with his third consecutive multi-steal game. Adegboye completed a solid night for the Bona point guards with five points, four assists and three rebounds.

Host Illinois State (4-0) defeated Norfolk State (1-3) 79-66 in the opening game of the night. Five players reached double figures for the Redbirds, led by 20 from Missouri Valley Preseason Player of the Year senior Osiris Eldridge. 2008-09 MEAC All-Conference first team choice Michael Deloach led the Spartans with a game-high 32 points.

St. Bonaventure will be second game on Saturday when it takes on Norfolk State. Tip-off is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET.