Oct. 17, 2003

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure did more than just kick off the start of practice with its "Midnight Mayhem" festivities.

It began the slow process of putting last season behind it.

Led by new coach Anthony Solomon and senior All-American candidate Marques Green, the Bonnies opened the 2003-04 season a few minutes past midnight Saturday at their Reilly Center with player introductions, two five-minute scrimmages, and three-point shootout against the women's team. About 1,100 fans stayed up late to help kick off the year.

Click here to visit the Midnight Mayhem Photo Gallery.

"I've worked and waited for five and a half months to hear this, and it sounds so good," Solomon said afterward. "We needed this night and we were so excited for it to be here. This night is for the players and the fans, and it was exciting."

"Being my last (Midnight Mayhem), it feels really good, but this is a day we've all waited a long time for," said Green. "We know the support is always there for us, because this is such a basketball town and campus. But to see it and hear it again was special."

The 2002-03 season, of course, ended abruptly for Green and the Bonnies, when Jamil Terrell was declared ineligible. St. Bonaventure forfeited all but one of its 13 wins.

Solomon took over in early May, and he has just nine scholarship players on the roster. The 5-foot-7 Green, who was an Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference and NABC All-District choice after he averaged 21.3 points and 8.0 rebounds, is the team's lone senior. Also back is sophomore guard Ahmad Smith, sophomore swingman Patrick Lottin, junior forwards Maurice Young, Cortez Sutton and Saulius Dumbliauskas and junior walk-on guard Issa Skinner. The newcomers are freshman guard Kern Carter, freshman forward Andy Smith and junior center Kankuba Camara.

The Bonnies begin their real work with two practices on Saturday during the day. They will play on exhibition game Nov. 13 before tipping off the year Nov. 21 at home against Robert Morris.

Among the highlights of Midnight Mayhem, the women's team defended its three-point shooting contest title behind the hot shooting of freshman Stephanie Merlo and junior Stefanie Collins, who marked her return from a knee injury that sidelined her all of last season. Solomon addressed the crowd twice, which at different points chanted his name. All of the players entered the darkened arena through a tunnel and fog. Green was the clear leader of the men's scrimmages, posting a pair of long three-pointers to go with several gorgeous passes. Dumbliauskas also stood out with strong shooting and tip-ins.

The "Reilly Rowdies" made their debut, with bright yellow and brown t-shirts and a variety of cheers and chants. The Bona cheerleaders and dance teams performed, and there were pie-eating and chicken-wing eating contests.