Bonnies outlasts Saint Louis, advances to quarterfinals

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Three double-digit scorers lead the way for the Bonnies

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — In a game that featured 16 lead changes and eight ties, three double-figure scorers led the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team to a 71-59 victory against a tough Saint Louis squad in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Championship at Show Place Arena.

St. Bonaventure now moves to 22-8 on the season and advances to the quarterfinals to play second-seeded Dayton on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Dayton is the only team in the regular season to beat the Bonnies by double figures. The Flyers topped the Bonnies back in January 76-65 at UD Arena. Saint Louis finishes its season 11-19.

Sophomore Megan Van Tatenhove paced the Bonnies scoring 16 of her 18 points in the second frame. The 6-foot-1 forward shot 5-of-10 from the floor and went 8-for-8 from the line. She also grabbed seven rebounds, all on the offensive end and had a game-high four steals.

Her classmate Jessica Jenkins joined her in double-digits hitting 17 points including three from long range. Senior Dana Mitchell closed out the double figure scoring, adding 16 of her own while grabbing six boards and dishing out four assists.

Redshirt sophomore Armelia Horton grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, but Saint Louis held the edge off the boards 34-31. Both teams had 12 offensive rebounds, but the Bonnies converted 18 second chance points to the Billikens’ 12.

St. Bonaventure shot 43 percent (23-53) from the field, dishing out 13 assists on its 23 baskets. Senior Andrea Doneth dished out a game-high four while Jenkins passed out three of her own.

The teams combined for 42 fouls with the Bonnies shooting 20-of-24 from the line and the Bills netting 18-of-22. Along with Van Tatenhove, three Bonnies and Saint Louis’ Katie Pagnelli (7-7) and Janisha Gearlds (2-2) were perfect from the line.

The Bonnies jumped to a quick 10-2 lead, but consecutive baskets by Amanda Kemezys and a jumper from Lauren Woods brought Saint Louis within one, 10-9 with 9:21 on the clock.

Saint Louis did not back down, knotting the score two more times before the Bonnies’ 11-4 run put them ahead for the last time of the half. Junior Cara Gustafson started the tear with two free throws before Jenkins, Mitchell and Walker all added jumpers to give the Bonnies their biggest lead at the break, 32-24.

The second half opened with 12 lead changes before Paganelli was fouled on a three and made all three free throws to put Saint Louis in front 52-49 with 9:50 on the clock. That would be the Billikens’ last lead as they only hit one more basket for the remainder of the half.

Van Tatenhove scored eight points in a 9-1 run giving the Bonnies the go ahead for the final time, 58-53 with 6:22 left on the clock. A three from Jenkins started another scoring rally as Van Tatenhove scored eight more points giving the Brown and White their largest lead (12), 69-57 with less than three minutes to go.

The Atlantic 10’s Most Improved Player, Lauren Woods, led the Billikens with 19 points shooting 6-of-10 from the floor and 7-for-10 from the line. Kemezys and Paganelli joined Woods in double-digits scoring 17 and 10 points, respectively.

St. Bonaventure has less than 24 hours to rest before it tries to avenge its only double-digit loss of the season to No. 2 Dayton, tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and audio can be found at GoBonnies.com while video is available at Atlantic 10 All-Access.