Bonnies Bounced By Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (St. Bonaventure Media Release) A combined 27 points and 23 rebounds from the frontcourt duo of Shamari Spears and Chris Braswell helped Charlotte survive a gutsy road effort from St. Bonaventure for a 57-54 win in front of a vocal 5,683 fans on Saturday night at Halton Arena.
The loss is the third in a row for the Bonnies (7-8), who have lost their opening two A-10 contests by a combined 10 points. The 49ers equal their win total from all of last year with the victory, improving to 11-4.
Spears scored nine points in each half en route to a game-high 18 for the night to go along with nine rebounds. Braswell finished with a game-high 14 rebounds, including seven offensive, and nine points.
St. Bonaventure was led by senior Chris Matthews’ (Washington, D.C./Lutheran Christian) 17 points that came on the strength of five three-pointers. Making his third straight start at point guard, junior Ogo Adegboye (London, England/Findlay Prep) drilled a season-high three trifectas to help the Brown and White sink a season-high 9-of-20 from long range.
With neither team putting on an offensive display, the difference in the game came off of turnovers and at the free throw line where Charlotte held a huge advantage. The 49ers turned 18 St. Bonaventure turnovers into 25 points and shot 15-of-21 from the charity stripe compared to just 1-of-4 for the Brown and White.
For the game, the Bonnies shot 42 percent (22-52) from the field compared to a 32 percent clip (18-55) by Charlotte. Sophomore Andrew Nicholson (Mississauga, Ontario/Father Michael Goetz Secondary) helped limit the 49ers to just 18 field goals by blocking a season-best six shots. Nicholson also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and had eight points in a full 40 minutes of work.
Neither team found a rhythm on the offensive end in the opening half, but Charlotte owned a 21-9 lead over 13 minutes into the contest.
After managing just seven points over the first 11:54, the Bonnies produced an offensive explosion compared to the rest of the half, scoring nine unanswered points to climb to within 21-18. The quick 9-0 spurt lasted just one minute and 51 seconds, as Adegboye capped the run with a three-pointer to draw the visitors within three 4:51 left.
The two teams combined for just nine points over the final 4:51 with the 49ers taking a 26-22 advantage into the locker room. The 22 points equaled a season-low in the first half for the Bonnies, as they shot just 9-of-24 from the floor while committing nine turnovers. Charlotte didn’t fare much better, going 10-of-27 with the two teams combining for just three offensive rebounds.
The opening 14 minutes of the second half featured four of the game’s five lead changes until a 8-0 run by Charlotte gave the 49ers a 52-45 advantage with four minutes left.
St. Bonaventure answered back with a 7-1 run of their own that was capped by a three from Matthews that cut it to a 53-52 score with 1:48 remaining.
Charlotte answered with a bucket in its next possession, but the Bonnies answered with a hoop of their own to cut it back to a one-point contest, 55-54, with 47 seconds left on the clock.
After holding the 49ers scoreless in their next possession, the Bonnies got the ball back with seven seconds left. Senior Jonathan Hall (Miami, Fla./Miami Senior) raced up the court and got inside the arc, but was called for a charge before he could get the potential game-winning shot off.
After two Charlotte free throws made it 57-54, the Brown and White’s last second three-pointer never had a chance.
Hall had a solid all-around game with eight points, a game-high eight assists and four rebounds.
St. Bonaventure will have a week off from game action until it hosts Saint Joseph’s on Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Reilly Center. The athletic department will honor the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Final Four team during halftime of the 7 p.m. tip. NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier will be in attendance along with legendary coach Larry Weise and the rest of the Brown and White.