Feb. 8, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - One of the weaknesses for the Saint Joseph's basketball team this season has been cold shooting. And unfortunately for the Hawks, it was a major factor Sunday, as the Hawks shot just 30.5 percent from the floor (18-of-59) in a 64-52 loss to St. Bonaventure at the Gallagher Center.

The Hawks, took a 23-22 edge into the second stanza, but would hold that advantage only for 1:35 as the Bonnies took the lead and opened up a 26-23 gap.

Both teams would exchange baskets over the next seven minutes as St. Bonaventure held a 35-34 edge with 11:04 to go in the game. From there, St. Bonaventure rolled off a 13-5 run, opening a nine-point lead of the game, 48-39.

Saint Joseph's, which went just 1-of-5 from the field during SBU's run, answered back swiftly to cut it to a one possession game. The Hawks got three points and a key block from junior forward Brittany Ford during an 8-0 run, as senior guard Jenna Loschiavo capped the run with a three pointer with 5:11 to go in the game.

The Hawks (10-13, 2-6 Atlantic 10) would have two opportunities to take the lead, but each time missed on open attempts, while the Bonnies answered back with an 11-1 run over the next four minutes to all but seal the victory. At the other end, Saint Joseph's offense slowed after its run, as the Hawks went 1-of-10 from the floor to finish the game.

In the first half, Saint Joseph's jumped out to a 9-4 advantage to open the game, but St. Bonaventure answered with 10 straight points as a jumpshot by Jessica Jenkins put the Bonnies up 14-9.

The Hawks shook off a 6:41 scoreless stretch on a Michelle Baker jump shot, but St. Bonaventure answered back to regain a five-point lead, 16-11.

From there, Saint Joseph's would use a 12-4 run over the next five minutes to take a 23-20 lead on a layup by junior forward Ashley Logue with :40 seconds remaining. Freshman guard Katie Kuester accounted for six of SJU's 12 points during that stretch as the Hawks took a 23-22 lead into halftime.

For the game, the Hawks went 4-of-20 from three=point range and just 12-of-18 from the foul line. At the other end, St. Bonaventure shot 50 percent from the field (23-of-46) and went 15-of-25 from the foul line and out rebounded the Hawks 40-31.

Individually, Logue and Loschiavo each tallied 10 points apiece for the Hawks, while Kuester added eight points off the bench.

At the other end, Dana Mitchell paced the Bonnies with a game-high 22 points. St. Bonaventure improved to 17-6 on the year and 6-2 in A-10 play with the win.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Wednesday vs. La Salle at 7:30 p.m. at the Daskalakis Center.