ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – On a day when Jim Crowley’s Bonnies shot 35 percent from the field in the first half, one could only think of a dismal end. The Bonnies pulled off the unthinkable on Saturday afternoon in the Reilly Center with a comeback that was one for the ages. St. Bonaventure (20-7, 9-3) came back from down as much as 22 points to earn a 63-62 victory over Atlantic 10 rival Duquesne.
“We just kept pleading to get stops, get stops get stops,” Crowley said. “I thought over the last 12 minutes that our defense was outstanding. Hopefully our kids can build on that as far as how important our defense is and how much it helps our offense play the way that we want to play.”
Defense was the main reason that the Bonnies pulled off the improbable come from behind victory.
In the 1st half the Bonnies shot 7-20 (35 percent) from the field, and their defense was sub par as they allowed the Dukes (16-9, 8-4) to shoot 13-25 (52 percent) from the field, which led to a 14-point Bona deficit at halftime.
Down 22 points with a shade over 17 minutes remaining, most of the 609 fans in attendance chalked this game up as a loss. Then the Bonnies started to get those “stops” that Crowley was pleading for and the game took a 180: The Reilly Center was roaring and had the fans on their feet.
In the 2nd half the Bonnies held Duquesne to 9-27 (33 percent) from the field. The Bonnies also got the offense on track and played the way they wanted to play as they went 16-26 (62 percent) from the field.
The Bonnies looked like a completely different team in the 2nd half, and most of that was a thanks in part to sophomore forward, Katie Healy.
After shooting a horrid 3-7 (43 percent) from the field in the first half, Healy went on fire as she shot 6-9 (67 percent) from the field while grabbing two rebounds and steals as well.
Healy blew off some steam after committing a technical foul on a Duquesne made bucket. Coach Crowley dubbed the play as “The Six Point Play.”
After that, the Bonnies went on a run and they never looked back.
“I knew I had to be smart. What I was doing wasn’t smart. I got a little bit of rest and calmed myself down. I knew I had to come back in the late part of the second half and do what we do,” Healy said.
In the end, Crowley’s plan was simple: give Healy the ball.
“Use time and get the ball inside to our leading scorer and make them (Duquesne) have to make decisions,” said Crowley when asked about what his plan was on the Bonnies final offensive possession.
Healy led the way with 26 points, just one point shy of her career high 27, which was posted in a game vs. Fordham back on February 1st. It was her 10th time this season posting 20 or more points in a game.
The Bonnies, who were picked to finish 9th in the preseason Atlantic 10 poll, have been proving the voters wrong as of late.
“I mean, we are taking care of our home and that is a really big thing,” said Crowley. “The last three home games have been victories over Fordham, St. Joes, and Duquesne who were picked to finish second, third, and fourth respectively, in the preseason.” That’s huge. It is a testament to these guys competiveness and their ability to execute when it matters most. This group has a lot of resolve.”
The win puts St. Bonaventure in sole possession of 2nd place in the Atlantic 10 standings with only four games remaining. The Bonnies are back in action Wednesday night as they hit the road to take on VCU.
Michael Loffredo 