Nov. 19, 2008

Final Stats

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - A collective 40 points from junior Dana Mitchell and senior Katelyn Murray lifted the St. Bonaventure women's basketball to a 60-56 win over Canisius Wednesday evening at the Reilly Center.

Mitchell tallied 22 points for the second straight game while Murray poured in 18, scoring in double figures for the third straight game to start the season. Free-throw shooting was the difference at the end of the game as junior Andrea Doneth knocked down two clutch free-throws to seal the deal for the Brown and White

"It wasn't the prettiest offensive showcases but when you have two teams that are rivals and are playing with a great intensity on the defensive end that's what going to happen," said Crowley. "I would say that I'm pleased that we found a way to win a game where we had that many turnovers and shot that poorly."

The Bonnies got out of the gates quickly starting the game on a 9-2 run on the strength of two Mitchell scores and a three-pointer by Murray.

Canisius would respond, however, going on an 8-3 run of their own capped off by two Marie Warner free-throws bringing the score to 11-8.

For the next six minutes of the first half, however, the game turned into the Katelyn Murray show.

Murray went off scoring 10 straight points for the Bonnies, including two trifectas on back-to-back possessions to put the Brown and White up 21-14 with six minutes remaining in the first half.

A Mitchell lay-up with 1:28 remaining in the first-half put the Bonnies up 29-17 going into half. The Brown and White shot 50% from the field in the first-half, but allowed Canisius to stay in the game by committing 16 turnovers.

The Golden Griffs came out of the half on an 11-5 run that brought the Griffs within to four, 34-30, after a Warner three-ball.

Canisius would close to within three, but a jumper by Mitchell and a old fashion three-point play by senior Erica Schiefen gave the Bonnies some breathing room at 50-42 with 8:25 remaining.

The game stayed relatively close towards the end of the game with Canisius closing to within four, 54-50, on a Micayla Drysdale three-pointer with two minutes left in the game.

Warner hit two more free-throws to bring Canisius within two 56-54 with thirty seconds left.

Following a St. Bonaventure turnover, their 22nd of the game, Canisius had a chance to tie up the game but a jumper by senior Amanda Cavo rattled in-and-out.

Priscilla Edwards corralled the board for the Bonnies and made her first free-throw increasing the Bona lead to 57-54. Edwards missed the second from the line but Doneth swooped in for the offensive board and then promptly sank two clutch free-throws to seal the deal for the Bonnies.

"I've always thought that a win's a win," Murray said. "Especially with a team like this and the rivalry we have with them we knew it was going to be a grind in there and we had to find a way and we did tonight."

Doneth filled up the stat sheet tonight scoring three points while leading the team by grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out five assists in 22 minutes of play.

Canisius was lead by Warner and junior Brittane Russell who each scored 18 points in defeat.

The Brown and White return to action on Saturday afternoon as the club travels to Akron to take on the Zips. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off at the James A. Rhodes arena.