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Feb. 24, 2007

Final Stats

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - In a game that may turn out to be one of those "must-wins," St. Bonaventure outlasted Duquesne 97-94 on Saturday evening at the Palumbo Center, giving the Bonnies a critical Atlantic 10 victory.

St. Bonaventure nearly saw its 19-point halftime lead evaporate, but the Bonnies hung on thanks to poised plays and free throws down the stretch.

The Bonnies, who snapped a six-game losing streak, are now 7-20 overall and 4-10 in conference play, one game clear of LaSalle and Richmond for the final spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament with two games remaining on the regular season slate.

"We challenged our guys and they really responded in a big way," said Bonnies coach Anthony Solomon. "We needed this game in a lot of ways. We got ahead and were able to sustain our focus and energy in the second half, even as (Duquesne) came back on us."

The Bonnies got off to a fast start and led 26-18 after a three-point play by Terron Diggs with 12:18 to go in the half. Sophomore Tyler Benson helped fuel the early surge, hitting a trio of three-point field goals.

Sophomore A.J. Hawkins pushed the lead to 35-21 with a pair of free throws at the 7:56 mark, and the Bonnies' lead eventually grew to 42-21. It was a 52-33 Bona lead at intermission.

In the first half, shot just 26 percent from the field. St. Bonaventure was guilty of 13 turnovers, but the Bonnies made 15 of 29 shots (52 percent) including six of 12 from long range. Hawkins had 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the first half alone.

The Dukes applied pressure early in the second half, desperate to rattle the Bonnies. Relph and Benson helped stemmed the tide as Relph nailed a pair of three-pointers and Benson made another to keep the Bonnies in control early.

But the Dukes' high-tempo style began to take effect and the lead started to slip away. Robert Mitchell hit back-to-back three-pointers to pull Duquesne within 73-68 with 8:13 remaining. That proved to be just the preview to a wild final eight minutes.

The lead was 10 at 84-74 when Duquesne went on an 8-2 run to trim the Bonnies' lead to 86-82 with 4:09 left. Kieron Achara made two free throws with 2:35 left to bring Duquesne as close as they came all night at 89-86. Hawkins, though, answered with a jumper, then Benson followed that with a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to seven.

St. Bonaventure went 6-8 at the line over the final 41 seconds to hold on for the win.

Hawkins, who played both guard spots as well as his natural small forward during the night, was spectacular. He finished with career highs of 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Benson also set new career highs with his 24 points and five three-pointers, the first time in his career he reached double figures in scoring.

Senior center Ivan Kovacevic also played a huge role, pressed into action due to Williams' foul trouble. Kovacevic finished with six points and six rebounds - both career bests - in 16 minutes of work.

St. Bonaventure will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at home against Fordham at 7:00. It will be the Bonnies' final home game of the season.