ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Daryl Banks III was red hot, pouring in a career-high 36 points as the St. Bonaventure men's basketball team snapped out of its recent funk in a big way with an 89-76 victory over Saint Joseph's Sunday afternoon at the Reilly Center.

Unquestionably, Banks has been at his best inside The RC this season. The redshirt junior guard has averaged nearly 20 points per game on home court during the year and dropped 30-plus twice earlier this season in the building.

On Sunday, he recorded 22 points in the second half alone as the Bonnies posted their highest-scoring game of the season.

The Bonnies (14-16, 8-9 A-10) shot 55 percent in the opening half and only got better, connecting on 60 percent of their field goal tries after intermission. It resulted in a 57 percent effort for the team, easily the best of the year for the Brown and White.

While Banks showed the way, he got contributing production from Yann Farell (13 points, five rebounds), Chad Venning (13 points, six boards) and Moses Flowers (12 points, three steals).

In all, it was enough to overcome another 30-point day from Erik Reynolds II of Saint Joseph's who finished with 33 points to lead the visitors.

Saint Joseph's (13-16, 7-10) never could establish any type of control though as the Bonnies dominated, leading for over 39 minutes of game time. The Hawks scored the first point of the game, but would never lead again with the Bonnies stretching their advantage out to 20 at one point during the second half.

"We played much better today, scoring 89 points, I didn't think that would be in us," head coach Mark Schmidt joked. "When Daryl is hitting shots like that it makes our offense looks much better. He's been in a shooting slump, but he has a pure stroke and he's always in the gym. He got some open looks today, which he hasn't been getting. He loves to play, he works hard and he's a great shooter."

"It's always good to see the ball go in right away; it kind of got me into a rhythm," Banks said. "I started off with a couple of mid-range jumpers and that helped me get into a rhythm and I kind of caught fire from there. It was a must win. We needed this completely to start some momentum for the tournament."

The Bonnies started fast out of the gates on the way to their best offensive first half of the season, taking a 48-38 lead at the break.

Banks and Farell put together a combined 12-1 run to start the game and Bona's continued to add to their lead thanks to an 8-for-9 stretch from the floor to gain breathing room. By the time Brett Rumpel completed a traditional three-point play with 4:19 to play, the Bonnies lead stood at 14.

In the second half, the Hawks attempted a rally, getting within single digits five minutes in.

Banks and Farell combined again to stomp that attempt, bringing the crowd to life on a block by Farell which led to a trey in transition for Banks as the Bonnies ran back out by 16.

Bona's also held a 31-23 advantage on the boards, led by Venning's six.
 
GAME NOTES

• Banks tallied his third career 30-point game, all coming this season. He also dropped 34 points in a win over Bowling Green in November and started A-10 play with 31 vs. UMass. His final line Sunday: 10-for-18 from the floor, 4-10 from 3-point land and 12-15 at the foul line. He played all 40 minutes for the 17th time this season.
• He scored the most points of any Bonnies player at home since Jaren Holmes posted 38 in a win over Saint Joseph's in 2021.
• Farell played a career-high 39 minutes, hitting three 3-pointers in his 14th double-figure scoring effort of the year.
• Bona's previous best offensive output before halftime this year: 43 points in a win over UMass in December.
• Buffalo Bills legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Thurman Thomas was in attendance at Sunday's game and also signed autographs for fans prior to the contest.
• The Bonnies have won nine straight over Saint Joseph's and 15 of the last 16 dating back to 2015.
• Rumpel played a career-high 25 minutes off the bench, finishing with five points and three assists. 

 
UP NEXT
The Bonnies have a bye week before wrapping up the regular season Saturday at UMass. Tip time in Amherst is slated for 2:30 p.m.
 
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