By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (3-0) vs. CANISIUS (0-3)
Friday, Nov. 14 – 6:00 p.m.
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Reilly Center
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Bonnies Online Network+/WESB Sports 107.5 FM/1490 WESB-AM
The St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team kicks off a three-game homestand Friday, Nov. 14 when it hosts Little Three rival Canisius. Tipoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the Reilly Center.
TIPPING OFF
The Bonnies erased an early 14-point deficit to defeat Binghamton, 68-65, on the road Tuesday evening.
Laycee Drake paced the Bonnies with a career-high 20 points to go along with eight rebounds. Brillana Boyd also finished in double figures with 15 points and five rebounds.
Freshmen Ivona Djikanovic and Mallory Heise contributed off the bench for the Brown and White. Djikanovic posted a career-high nine points on 4-of-8 shooting while Heise chipped in seven points, six rebounds, five assists and zero turnovers.
With 30 seconds remaining with the game tied 65-65, Aaliyah Parker drove the lane and was fouled, sending her to the line. She converted on 1-of-2 chances from the line, giving the Bonnies a lead they would not relinquish.
After a jump ball gave possession back to the Bonnies Drake was able to cut through the lane and put the game out of reach with a layup.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Bonnies wins over Niagara and Binghamton are the first back-to-back road victories for the Bonnies since the 2018-19 season when Bona's defeated UMass (64-63) and Rhode Island (84-68).
The Brown and White are slated for seven straight games away from the Reilly Center following the Nov. 22 matchup with UAlbany.
CRASHING THE GLASS
Bona's is averaging 46.7 rebounds per game through the first three contests of the season. The Brown and White are currently +17.0 in rebounding margin, ranking third in the Atlantic 10 and 26th in the NCAA. On the offensive glass, the Bonnies are pulling down 15.3 rebounds per game.
The Bonnies have recorded 40 or more rebounds in three straight games for the first time since the 2015-16 season when that squad did it in six consecutive games.
TRENDING NUMBERS
6 – The Bonnies are getting contributions across the board this season as six players are averaging at least 6.0 points per game.
15 – Bona's committed a season-low 15 turnovers Tuesday at Binghamton.
18.3 – Laycee Drake is averaging 18.3 points per game to lead the Bonnies. She currently ranks sixth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring.
23.2 – The Brown and White are allowing teams to shoot just 23.2 percent from beyond the arc this season, sitting fourth in the Atlantic 10.
51.7 – St. Bonaventure is giving up 51.7 points per game this season which is the second-best mark in the Atlantic 10 behind Rhode Island who is allowing teams to score just 44.3 points per game.
CANISIUS NOTES
- Canisius enters Friday's contest 0-3 to begin the year, falling to Michigan (100-40), Eastern Michigan (70-39) and Syracuse (96-72). The Golden Griffins finished last season 10-21 overall and 7-9 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. Canisius was picked to finish ninth in the MAAC preseason poll.
- The Golden Griffins are coached by Tiffany Swoffard who is in her second season at the helm. She took over as head coach last season following the departure of Sahar Nusseibeh to Eastern Michigan.
- Shariah Gailes leads the Golden Griffins in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Irene Rey Pineda is second on the team in scoring, chipping in 9.7 points per contest.
SERIES HISTORY
The Bonnies and Golden Griffins are slated to meet for the 60th time Friday night at the Reilly Center. Bona's holds the edge in the all-time series, 30-29, following a comeback win last season at the Koessler Center in Buffalo. Dani Haskell tallied 29 points to lead the Bonnies back from a 12-point first half deficit.
The Brown and White are 19-8 against Canisius at the Reilly Center. Bonnies head coach Jim Crowley is 13-2 all-time vs. the Golden Griffins.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies remain at home to host Buffalo Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tipoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the Reilly Center.
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For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get women's basketball updates @BonniesWBB. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Women's Basketball can be found on Instagram @bonnies_wbb.
