By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (12-7, 3-4 A-10) vs. GEORGE MASON (12-6, 7-0 A-10)
Wednesday, Jan. 21 – 6:00 p.m.
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Reilly Center
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Bonnies Online Network
The St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team returns home to host George Mason Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Reilly Center.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bonnies dropped a 66-53 decision on the road at Fordham last Sunday.
Aaliyah Parker paced the Bonnies with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals while Laycee Drake tallied 11 points and seven boards. Brianna Barr-Buday chipped in nine points and three rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.
The Bonnies came out firing out of the halftime locker room, pushing the lead to double digits, 43-31, following a Mackenzie Pettinelli jump shot with the shot clock winding down with 5:12 remaining in the third.
The Rams, however, outscored the Bonnies, 35-10, over the final quarter and a half to earn their first Atlantic 10 victory of the season.
BOUNCE BACK BONNIES
The Bonnies are 5-1 this season following a loss with the only consecutive defeats coming to UAlbany (Nov. 22) and Cleveland State (Nov. 26).
Following a loss, the Bonnies are allowing just 52.6 points per game.
60 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Bona's is 10-0 this season when allowing 60 or less points and sit fourth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense, giving up 59.3 points per game. Rhode Island touts the best scoring defense in the A-10, allowing just 53.4 points per contest.
The Brown and White are allowing opponents to shoot just 37.7 percent overall from the floor this season, ranking fourth in the Atlantic 10.
DEFENDING THE THREE
The Brown and White currently sit second in the Atlantic 10 and 16th in the NCAA, holding opponents to a 25.7 shooting percentage from beyond the arc this season.
The Bonnies have held opponents to five or fewer made 3-pointers 11 times this season, including a season-low one made three in the season opener against Mansfield Nov. 3.
SWIPER NO SWIPING
The Bonnies have had fast hands on defense this season, averaging 8.2 steals per game this season.
Aaliyah Parker leads the Bonnies and ranks sixth in the Atlantic 10 this season with 38 steals. Laycee Drake sits just behind Parker with 34 steals, ranking eighth in the A-10. Mackenzie Pettinelli is also averaging over a steal per game with 25 thefts this season.
GEORGE MASON NOTES
- George Mason enters Wednesday's contest with a perfect 7-0 record in Atlantic 10 play and are 12-6 overall while winning its last six games. The Patriots finished last season 27-6 overall and 14-4 in Atlantic 10 play, winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. George Mason was picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, earning four first-place votes.
- Vanessa Blair-Lewis is in her fifth season as the head coach at George Mason, touting an 88-54 record in Fairfax. Blair-Lewis has over 26 years of head coaching experience, holding a career record of 404-356.
- Zahirah Walton leads the Patriots on offense, averaging 19.8 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds per contest. Kennedy Harris is also averaging double figures for George Mason, chipping in 14.0 points per game. On the glass, Maliyah Johnson is pulling down a 5.8 rebounds per game.
SERIES HISTORY
The Bonnies and Patriots are set to meet for the 18th time Wednesday. George Mason leads the all-time series over the Brown and White, 10-7, and has won the previous five matchups.
Bona's last defeated the Patriots Jan. 27, 2022, 81-74, behind 21 points from Asianae Johnson, 19 points from Tori Harris and a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double from I'yanna Lops.
Bonnies head coach Jim Crowley is 2-3 all-time vs. George Mason.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies remain at home to host La Salle Saturday, Jan. 24. Tipoff is slated for 3:00 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.
