By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure men's basketball team has finalized the non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 season.
The 13-game schedule features six home games at the Reilly Center and a pair of special events in the build up to the conference slate following the New Year.
Opening Night is set for Monday, Nov. 4 when California State Northridge visits the Reilly Center for the first meeting between the two programs and just the third game ever for the Bonnies against a Big West Conference opponent.
Bona's first road game of the year will be Saturday, Nov. 9 with a short trip to Buffalo to face off against Little Three rival Canisius. The earliest scheduled meeting in series history, this year's date marks the 172nd contest between the programs. St. Bonaventure leads the all-time series, 102-69.
SBU will make two trips to the Sunshine State during the non-conference, first trekking to Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers Nov. 13. FGCU went 9-4 on its home floor last season and captured the only meeting in series history two seasons ago at The RC.
A three-game homestand highlights mid-November as the Bonnies first welcome Le Moyne on Nov. 16. The Dolphins went 15-17 in their first season at the Division I level including an impressive 9-7 record in the NEC. After a date with Mansfield on Nov. 20, the Bonnies will square off against Bryant at home Nov. 24. The Bulldogs won 20 games a season ago, posting an 11-5 mark in America East play.
St. Bonaventure will celebrate Thanksgiving back in Florida with the first of two special invitation events as the Brown and White competes in the NIT Season Tip-Off at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney World. The Bonnies will join a field including North Texas, Northern Iowa and Utah State Nov. 28-29.
Bona will have three additional trips, including two true road games at Bucknell (Dec. 4) and at Siena (Dec. 17) as well as another marquee neutral court contest vs. Providence (Dec. 14).
The date against Providence will come as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Providence won 21 games and narrowly missed out on last year's NCAA Tournament field. It will mark the 24th meeting all-time between the Bonnies and Friars, but first since 1980.
The Bonnies will complete a home-and-home series vs. the Bison with SBU leading the all-time series, 6-2, including a win on home court last year.
The Br. Ed Coughlin Franciscan Cup continues in Albany this holiday season with the Bonnies looking to retain possession of the Cup following a dominant 89-56 win last year. Bona's leads the Franciscan Cup series 8-5 and holds a 33-12 all-time margin over their sister school Siena. The Saints are led by first-year head coach and former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara.
Two home rivalry matchups vs. Buffalo (Dec. 7) and Niagara (Dec. 21) complete the non-conference slate.
An always entertaining series, the Bonnies lead the Bulls 12-5 all-time including last season's convincing 80-65 win in Buffalo. The final game before Christmas break with the St. Bonaventure students on campus, this year's game figures to be another raucous atmosphere in The RC.
Bona's completes the non-conference vs. Niagara for the 162nd game between the Bonnies and Purple Eagles. SBU holds a 90-71 series advantage after last year's win.
Season ticket renewals are available now and were emailed to season ticket holders earlier this summer. For more information on how to renew, call the SBU Ticket Office at 716-375-2500. Renewals end Aug. 16. Season tickets for new customers will go on sale later this month with single-game tickets going on sale in October.
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