Tag: Cumberbatch

Men’s basketball quick hitters: Duquesne (home)

By Jeff Fasoldt @Jeff_Fasoldt

Posley regains his edge: It’s no secret that Marcus Posley has struggled to say the least since his two consecutive game winning layups at Davidson and home vs. VCU. However, today he shook off whatever’s been holding him back and put up 29 on 8-14 from the field. With point guard Jay Adams out still with a broken finger, Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt has been praying for Posley to step up and hit shots from outside—today his prayers were answered and Posley went 6-9 from three.

Cumberbatch shines on senior night: Not only did Posley have a big come back game, but senior Andell Cumberbatch showed he can score when he wants to. He was 6-12 from the field for 18 points including 4-9 from beyond the arc. The combination of Posley and Cumberbatch finally knocking down shots took Duquesne by surprise and was too much for them in this one.

Anything can happen: Going into this game Micah Mason and Derrick Colter were two of the hottest three point shooters in the A-10 at 42 and 46 percent. So, one would’ve expected this trend to continue against a Bonnies defense that has lacked solid three point defendability all season long. However, everything went the exact opposite of what you would have thought. The Bonnies shooters shined throughout the game while Duquesne struggled going just 3-15 (20 percent) from three.

Second half done Wright: Dion Wright is no doubt the Bonnies most consistent player, proven by the fact that he goes for at least 10 points almost every game. Today, as the Bonnies guards were playing well, he got off to a slow start—not scoring in the first half. But, the second half was another story as Wright scored 15, and ultimately became the dagger that ended the Dukes as he scored nine from the free throw line.

Quotes:

Duquesne head coach: Jim Ferry

“It’s tough on the road, your margin of error is significantly smaller.”

“We have to focus on getting better, we have two more games before the tournament so we’re just going to go get ready for our next game.” 

St. Bonaventure head coach: Mark Schmidt

“Give our guys credit, Colter and Mason shot 3-15 from three.”

“When you make the first one the basket seems to get bigger.” (on Posley)

“All three seniors played a big role in this one and I’m very proud of how they played.”

 

 

 

Bonnies lose to UMass in heartbreak finish

By Jeff Fasoldt

Everyone at the Reilly Center could picture it in their head—Marcus Posley stepping back beyond the three point line and nailing a three to give the Bonnies a win and a perfect 2-0 record against the UMass Minutemen on the season: not to mention giving Posley his third game winner in a row—but it didn’t happen. In fact, Posley never even got the ball in the final seconds with St. Bonaventure trailing 55-53, as the UMass defenders swarmed him in unison.

Instead, Andell Cumberbatch, who had arguably his best game of the season took a three for the ‘W’ and listened to the students and fans sigh in disbelief as the shot clanked off the back of the rim, and the Bonnies dropped a heartbreaker in front of their home crowd.

Perhaps it should’ve never gotten to the point of having to attempt a game-winner because St. Bonaventure had the lead a good portion of the second half, even as much as by six with under three minutes to play. But, key turnovers down the stretch, including two huge ones that led to UMass points in the final minute, doomed the brown and white.

“I thought we did the job defensively, we just didn’t play 40 minutes,” said Bona’s coach Mark Schmidt. “We didn’t execute.”

Cumberbatch was the bright spot for the Bonnies who struggled to shoot in the first half at just over 30 percent from the field. He had 12, including a couple threes—something that would be nice to see consistently from him for the remaining games.

Posley picked it up in the second-half, scoring 10 of his 13. Still, you could see his rhythm wasn’t there and neither was his shot. At this point it’s almost unfair what everyone expects from the Bona junior after he’s hit two game winners in a row and been in the national spotlight of late.

Dion Wright, the most consistent player on this Bonnies squad had 10 and a team-high eight rebounds.

As much as this was a tough loss for Bonnies fans, you have to give this UMass team credit. They have solid leadership that has helped turn a dismal season around as they’ve won their last five.

Trey Davis, UMass’s starting point guard, led the team with 12 points and also had a big-time steal at the end of the game that led to a trip to the foul line and ultimately helped destroy the Bonnies lead.

Cady Lalanne, the big man inside for the Minutemen, also played well with 10 points and five rebounds. But, the MVP for UMass goes to Jabarie Hinds, who despite just taking five shots and two threes—hit the biggest three of the night to put UMass up by two with eight seconds left and sink the Bonnies hopes.

“They hit a big shot,” said Schmidt. “You have to give them credit.”

Next game for the Bonnies will be a tough road trip to Dayton who defeated them earlier in the season 78-61 at the Reilly Center.