The 2012 Atlantic 10 tournament quarterfinals kick off with a #8/#1 match up between the LaSalle Explorers and St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Pickin’ Splinters is court side bringing you scores, stats, analysis, insights – we might even get a quote or two from players or coaches.
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#8 La Salle (14-16/7-7) vs. #1 St. Bonaventure (27-2/14-0)
The Bonnies won the only meeting this year: 75-57 on January 28, 2012.
Smitty says
These teams have played once in prior A-10 conference action. LaSalle took that match-up back in 2004.
Smitty says
During the season, these teams faced just once. Bonnies won that match- up 75-57.
During the match-up Jenkins had 8 3’s in the game. Think the Explorers get out and guard this time around?
Bonnies also had 12 offensive rebounds in the game and out rebounded LaSalle, 34-25.
Turnover battle was won by the Bonnies, as they had just 9 turnovers in the game.
Who will win the battle today?
Smitty says
Explorers starters are:
Brittany Wilson -R-Jr.
Michea Bryant – So.
Ruvanna Campbell – Fr.
Alexis Scott – R-Jr.
Michele McCaughen – Sr.
Kyle Soppe says
Vegas update … St. Bonaventure (-12.5) .. the higher scoring the game, the more comfortable SBU will be. If La Salle wants to stay competitive they have to limit possessions and make the most of their opportunities around the rim
Smitty says
Bonnies starters are:
Jessica Jenkins – Sr.
Alaina Walker – Jr.
Armelia Hortin – R-Sr.
Megan Van Tatenhove – Sr.
Doris Ortega – So.
Kyle Soppe says
This Bonnies team moves the ball around the perimeter as good as anybody. A Jenkins pull up 3 off of a left handed dribble and an aggresive drive by Walker give SBU the lead. The suffocating Bonneis defense prevented La Salle from drawing iron on a shot for the first 2+ minutes … 9-2 the top seed leads early.
Kyle Soppe says
Brittany Wilson’s pull up triple is the first FG for La Salle. But Bonaventure’s 6/9 start is too much. 16-7 Bonnies. SBU has converted 5 La Salle turnoversinto 4 points.
La Salle has transitioned into a 1-2-2 zone, and SBU has found scoring a bit tougher. The teams are trading three pointers, with Wilson doing all of the Explorers damage (8 points). Bonnies lead 21-12.
Smitty says
Through the first 10 minutes, Bonnies have a 8-2 advantage in the paint.
A lot of pump fakes and drives by the Bonnies. Something picked up in scouting?
Kyle Soppe says
Building on that, the 6-0 advantage in second chance points looms large. Brittany Wilson (13 points) is the only La Salle starter on the court, but the Explorers are showing signs of life. Defense has buckled down, forcing the Bonnies into a shot clock violation.
Bonnies goes scoreless for over 4 minutes, but their defense remains tough. Very impressed with both defenses thus far.
Upsets need a great performance from a great player. Is today Wilson’s day? 24-17 SBU leads with 4 to play in the first half.
Smitty says
Explorers’ 2-3 zone appears to be causing some Bonnies frustration.
Bonnies now have 8 turnovers which is one less than all of the regular season game.
Three of the turnovers have come on offensive charges.
redsoxfan says
Go Bonnies!
Kyle Soppe says
Great run to end the half by the upstart Explorers. Brittany Wilson doing it all on the offensive end wither 68% of the teams points, but it is the defensive play that has allowed La Salle to crawl back. They have drawn 4 charges, forced 7 turnovers, and held the Bonnies to 6 points in the halves final 7:53. SBU has yet to trail, but the 27-25 advantage is the slimmest of the afternoon
Smitty says
Here is a telling stat:
Bonnies are shooting just 25% from behind the three point line (3-12).
Against any type of zone, that won’t get the job done.
redsoxfan says
C’mon, Bonnies, get it together!
Smitty says
Explorers have score 11 points off Bonaventure turnovers.
17 turnovers combined in the first half. A bit of a pastry delight this half.
Kyle Soppe says
Van Tatenhove with an and 1 to push the lead to 5. The All Conference selection has yet to miss from the floor and has six rebounds to go with her nine points.
Kyle Soppe says
Jenkins spins around a defender for a pretty left handed finish. She then wraps a behind the back dribble around her waist at mid court, takes two dribbles and knocks down a triple in the grill of Brittany Wilson. She screamed “let’s go!”, but her game is speaking even louder. La Salle forced to call time, as the lead is up to 10.
Smitty says
The 8-0 run to start the second half for the Bonnies was all Jenkins (5 pts). and Van Tatenhove (3 pts).
Kyle Soppe says
Wilson is 0-2 this half, and the La Salle offense is struggling without her presence. They have scored 2 points in the halves first 4.5 minutes, and are at risk of falling out of contention.
Smitty says
Van Tatenhove just passed to herself. Her shot hit the side of the backboard, followed it up and finished before the shot clock went to 0.
Does that count as an assist?
redsoxfan says
Keep it up, Bonnies! Want it!!
Smitty says
How do you stop an upset?
Start the second half with 15-2 run.
Explorers are have yet to make a shot from the floor in the second half.
Kyle Soppe says
0-11 for the Explorers while SBU has connected on 5-9.
Jenkins and Van Tatenhove have combined for 12 of the Bonnies 15 points this period.
Kyle Soppe says
With 12 minutes remaining, the Bonnies seem destined to advance to tomorrow’s semi final match up against the winner of our next game, the Richmond Spiders and St. Joesph’s Hawks. Bonaventure leads La Salle 45-27.
Kyle Soppe says
With 9:15 remaining, the Bonnies have scored 25 points this half, the same number of points in which La Salle scored in the first 20 minutes.
Kyle Soppe says
SBU has attempted 6 fewer field goals this half than the Explorers. The difference? They have made 6 more. Bonnies lead 55-32 with 8 to play.
redsoxfan says
C’mon Bonnies!
Kyle Soppe says
SBU is +8 from inside the arc, +12 from distance, and +5 from the free throw line. They have less turnovers, more assists, and more steals. Hard to imagine that this was a two point game at the half. 60-35 with under 6 minutes to play.
Smitty says
At the 7:51 mark of the second half, the Explorers are shooting 9.5% from the field (2 for 21).
Kyle Soppe says
Looking ahead for SBU. They beat Richmond (75-59) and St. Joes (68-61) at home this season, and have yet to lose to an A-10 opponent. Their physical defense will be difficult for either guard oriented team to deal with. While SBU is unbeaten, they are not unbeatable. If the Richmond/St. Joe’s winner can penetrate effectively, Bonaventure will have their hands full.
Kyle Soppe says
It’s a final … SBU 68 La Salle 53
Van Tatenhove and Jenkins led the way with 13 and 11 points respectively. Four Bonnies totaled at least 10 points.
Brittany Wilson led all scorers with 19 points (17 in the first half). Now, it’s time to find who will oppose the A-10’s top seed.