By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (4-8, 1-0 A-10) at FORDHAM (5-8, 0-2 A-10)
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – 11:00 a.m.
Bronx, N.Y.
TV: ESPN+/SNY
Radio: WSBU 88.3 FM
The St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team continues Atlantic 10 play Wednesday, Jan. 3 on the road at Fordham. Tip is slated for 11:00 a.m. for a special Education Day at Rose Hill Gym.
OPENING TIP
The Bonnies look to build off an 84-72 victory over Loyola Chicago Saturday afternoon in the conference opener. Dani Haskell poured in a game-high 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers. Haskell also pulled down six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
Isabellah Middleton registered her first double-double with the Brown and White with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Claire Cody was clutch for the Bonnies, scoring a career-high 17 points with 14 coming in the second half. Nadechka Laccen also finished in double figures with 10 points.
Loyola Chicago took a 3-0 lead that was quickly matched by a Haskell three and the Bonnies never trailed again, leading for nearly 38 minutes.
The Brown and White earned their first win in an A-10 opener since defeating Rhode Island, 78-69, Dec. 28, 2016.
OFFENSE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
The Bonnies finished Saturday's contest shooting 54.9 percent (28-for-51) from the floor which is the highest shooting percentage since the Brown and White shot 54.5 percent (30-for-55) against Oakland Dec. 15, 2019.
Bona's made a season-high 13 threes, hitting at a 59.1 percent clip from beyond the arc against the Ramblers. It is the highest three-point percentage since the Bonnies shot 58.8 percent (10-for-17) against Binghamton Nov. 27, 2019. The 13 made threes is also the most since making 13 against Canisius Nov. 17, 2019.
HASKELL CLOSING IN ON 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Senior Dani Haskell enters Wednesday's contest with 959 career points, 41 shy of reaching 1,000 for her career. Haskell began the year with 801 points after three seasons at Canisius. She has scored in double figures in 10 out of 11 games this season, including three 20-point performances.
She enters the new year ranking first in the Atlantic 10 in free throw percentage, shooting 87.8 percent from the line. Haskell also ranks sixth in the A-10 in scoring at 14.4 points per game and her 33.8 minutes per game sits seventh.
FORDHAM NOTES
- Fordham enters Wednesday 5-8 overall and 0-2 in Atlantic 10 play. The Rams began the season with wins in five out of seven games, but have since lost six straight contests. Fordham finished last season 19-13 overall and 10-6 in A-10 play, advancing to the second round of the WNIT. The Rams were picked to finish 13th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
- Bridgette Mitchell is in her first season as head coach at Fordham, replacing interim head coach Candice Green. Mitchell comes to Rose Hill after two seasons at Northeastern where she guided the Huskies to a share of their first-ever Coastal Athletic Association Regular Season Championship, earning CAA Coach of the Year honors. She is 38-38 overall as a head coach, touting a record of 33-30 at Northeastern.
- The Rams are led by Taylor Donaldson who leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring at 18.2 points per game. Donaldson is averaging 34.5 minutes per game and is shooting 35.6 percent from three-point range. Emy Hayford has started all 13 games for Fordham and is second on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per contest.
SERIES HISTORY
The Bonnies and Rams are set to meet for the 47th time Wednesday morning. Bona holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 24-22, but Fordham has won nine straight against the Bonnies. The Bonnies last defeated the Rams Jan. 7, 2016, 55-41, at the Reilly Center.
SBU is 9-14 all-time at Rose Hill Gym and have not won in the Bronx since Feb. 19, 2011. Coach Crowley is 16-10 against Fordham all-time.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies remain on the road as they travel to take on Atlantic 10 preseason favorite Rhode Island Saturday, Jan. 6. Tip is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Ryan Center.
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