By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (0-1) at CANISIUS (0-1)
Saturday, Nov. 7 – 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo, N.Y. – Koessler Athletics Center
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Bonnies Online Network
The St. Bonaventure University men's basketball team heads out on the road for the first time in 2026-27, traveling to take on Little Three rival Canisius Saturday, Nov. 7. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Koessler Athletics Center.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bonnies fell to Youngstown State, 79-71, in Monday's season opener at the Reilly Center.
Zach Philipkoski led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with four assists and three rebounds. Benjamin Bill finished with 15 points and nine rebounds while Taj Au-Duke chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Brown and White.
Bona's was able to cut their late deficit down to two, 72-70, with under a minute to play but the Penguins knocked down a three at the other end, forcing the Bonnies to foul the rest of the way.
DAZZLING DEBUT
Senior Zach Philipkoski had a Bonnies debut to remember with his 28-point outburst. He played a team-high 33 minutes and did not turn the ball over once.
Philipkoski became the fifth player since 2010 to score 20 or more points in their St. Bonaventure debut joining Darryl Simmons II (24 vs. Bradley; 2025), Charles Pride (21 vs. Longwood; 2023), Kyrell Luc (23 vs. Saint Francis (PA); 2022) and Matt Mobley (21 vs. Saint Francis (PA); 2016).
BEN'S BLOCK
Redshirt senior Benjamin Bill was efficient in his St. Bonaventure debut Monday night, finishing 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. He paced the Bonnies with nine rebounds while being a force on defense with four blocks.
SILVER WAVES MEDIA TOP SUPPORT STAFF
St. Bonaventure Assistant Athletic Director for Men's Basketball Operations Matt Pappano was selected to the Seventh Annual Silver Waves Media Top Support Staff Members in College Basketball list.
Pappano is in his 19th season on staff and first under head coach Mike MacDonald as director of operations.
CANISIUS NOTES
- Canisius enters Saturday's matchup 0-1, falling to Penn State to begin the season, 97-57. Clinton Efinda and Preist Ryan tallied 13 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the Golden Griffins offensively.
- The Golden Griffins finished last season 10-21 overall and 5-15 against Metro Conference opponents. Canisius was picked to finish 11th in the Metro preseason poll.
- Canisius is coached by Jim Christian who is in his third season in charge in Buffalo. Christian has guided the Golden Griffins to a 13-49 record and is 333-336 in 26-plus seasons as a head coach overall.
SERIES HISTORY
The Bonnies and Golden Griffins are set to meet for the 174th time Saturday evening, marking the longest running series for the Brown and White. Bona's leads the all-time series 105-68 and are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings.
St. Bonaventure has won two straight over its local rival, scoring an 89-70 victory last season at the Reilly Center and an 87-78 win the season before.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies kickoff a three-game homestand Wednesday, Nov. 11 when they host Cornell. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the Reilly Center.
Wednesday game against the Big Red is the second game of a doubleheader with Bonnies women's basketball who takes on Mercyhurst at 4:30 p.m.
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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 men's basketball updates @BonniesMBB. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Men's Basketball can be found on Instagram @bonnies_mbb.
