Xavier defense key in Bonnies' loss
Feb. 16, 2005
CINCINATTI, Ohio- Junior forward Patrick Lottin and junior guard Wade Dunston combined for only four points as St. Bonaventure fell to Xavier 67-54 on Wednesday night at the Cintas Center.
The duo of Lottin and Dunston came into the game averaging a combined 25 points per game, but were held to a meager 1-11 from the field, including 0-5 from behind the arc.
The Bonnies stayed within seven points of the hot shooting Musketeers in the first half and trailed 36-29 at intermission. Xavier shot a staggering 58 percent (14-24) from the field in the first half. Junior Ahmad Smith turned in a stellar first half, recording 12 of St. Bonaventure's 29 points.
In the second half, Xavier proved to be to much as the Musketeers used small runs to gradually pull away from the Bonnies. Xavier was keyed by a 5-0 spurt midway through the second half, when its seven point lead reached 12 on a traditional three-point play by Keith Jackson at 9:35 mark.
The trio of Smith, freshman Isiah Carson and classmate Michael Lee combined for all of the Bonnies scoring in the second half. Smith followed up his 12 point first half with an equally impressive 12 point performance in the second, while Carson poured in seven and Lee six in the final stanza.
The Bonnies shot just 34 percent (21-61) from the field and 20 percent (3-15) from long range. Xavier hit an even 50 percent (23-46) of their shots from the field.
St. Bonaventure turned in a dominating performance on the offensive glass, recording 16 offensive rebounds to Xavier's six. The Bonnies won the battle of the boards 38-32 on the night.
Smith turned in another gutsy performance, tying his career-high with 24 points while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds on the night. Carson was the only the other Bona player to reach double figures with 11. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and came up with two steals on the evening. Lee contributed nine points and collected five rebounds.
Four Musketeers reached double figures, paced by Will Caudle's 15 points. Justin Doellman chipped in with 11, while Brian Thornton and Dedrick Finn each had 10. The St. Bonaventure defense held freshman Stanley Burrell scoreless just one game after he ripped Duquesne for a career-high 32 on Sunday.
The loss drops St. Bonaventure to 2-21 on the season and 1-11 in the Atlantic 10. With the win, Xavier moves to 13-9 overall and 7-4 in conference play.
The Bonnies return to the hardwood on Saturday, February 19 when they travel to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph's. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 as Atlantic 10 television will air the game live.
