Three Keys To The Game
- St. Bonaventure seized control with a 25-3 run spanning the first and second quarters
- Senior Mckenna Maycock posted a double-double effort of 10 points and 10 assists.
- The Bonaventure defense held Niagara to 33.9 percent shooting (21-for-62)
LEWISTON, N.Y. – A relentless first half set the tone for an impressive result in the season-opener for the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team as the Bonnies rolled to victory at Niagara Tuesday night, 76-48.
The Bonnies flashed newfound depth as their six newcomers injected new energy.
All 10 players to see the court posted points including four in double figures – 13 from freshman Asianae Johnson and 10 each from fellow newcomer Amanda Oliver as well as returners Mckenna Maycock and Emily Calabrese. Maycock delivered an outstanding stat line of 10 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals in 30 minutes of action.
For the game, the Bonnies shot over 58 percent while limiting Niagara to 34 percent shooting as the Purple Eagles could never find an offensive rhythm.
Niagara grabbed the early lead, 4-2, and the Bonnies were ahead by a narrow 6-4 margin at the first media timeout, but from there on the game belonged to the visitors.
St. Bonaventure exploded with a 25-3 run, powered by seven different point scorers during the opening half.
By the time the halftime horn sounded, the Bonnies owned a 45-15 cushion after shooting 63 percent from the floor including a second quarter where they were absolutely on fire, hitting 10 of 14 field goal attempts.
At the heart of the first half freight train were two players on the opposite spectrums of their careers – Maycock, entering her final collegiate season, handed out eight assists during the first 20 minutes. Johnson, in her collegiate debut, hit five of her first seven field goal tries and had 11 first half points.
Bona kept its momentum out of the break as Bree Paulson started the scoring with a three for a 50-17 advantage and the lead grew to 52-17 following an Emily Calabrese layup.
The teams played even the rest of the third, each tallying 14 points apiece, but from there the Bonnies never relinquished control.
"We defended at a high level. We were talking, helping each other out," St. Bonaventure head coach Jesse Fleming said. "We shared the ball; the ball was finding the right player and we made some shots. I'm really pleased with how we played today and hopefully we can go down to Georgia and continue doing some good things."
St. Bonaventure now travels to the Peach State for a Friday evening date with No. 14/13 Georgia. That contest is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. on the SEC+ network, also available on the ESPN+ platform.
GAME NOTES:
- St. Bonaventure started a pair of freshman guards in Asianae Johnson and Deja Francis along with sophomore Emily Calabrese, redshirt junior Bree Paulson and senior Mckenna Maycock.
- Maycock handed out a career high 10 assists, needing just the first half to surpass her previous high of six.
- Niagara shot just 26.9 percent (7-for-26) against the Bona defense in the first half.
- Six Bonnies made their St. Bonaventure debuts – Francis, Johnson, Oliver, Dajah Logan, Carrie Jornlin and Claudia Del Moral.
- The Bonnies led by 30 points until the final minute of the game, just missing their first 30-point victory since a 79-42 win over Kent State on Dec. 18, 2012.
- Bona improved to 38-24 all-time vs. their Little Three rival and have won 21 of the past 25 meetings.
- The Bonnies won the battle of the boards by a 39-27 margin, led by Maycock's seven rebounds. Oliver and Del Moral each grabbed six rebounds apiece off the bench.
- By Scott Eddy, Director of Athletics Communications
FINAL | Starting the season with a 'W' ����#Bonnies dominate in the opener, 76-48, at Niagara#Unfurl pic.twitter.com/0Ea6NlFbDI
— Bonnies WBB (@BonniesWBB) November 7, 2018
Head coach Jesse Fleming gives his thoughts on tonight's win over rival Niagara. pic.twitter.com/hGtDghqP2a
— Bonnies WBB (@BonniesWBB) November 7, 2018
Quick stop at Niagara Falls before the game!
— Bonnies WBB (@BonniesWBB) November 6, 2018
Next up: Game time ��#Bonnies || #TCR pic.twitter.com/9eQUaJVpTl
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