
Watson and 'Cats Advance to A-10 Quarters; Face Top-Seeded VCU Thursday
3/8/2023 2:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Desmond Watson scored a game-high 17 points to lead eighth-seeded Davidson past St. Bonaventure, 65-54, in the second round of the 2023 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament Wednesday inside the Barclays Center.
The Wildcats, who have won five of their last six, advance to meet top-seeded VCU in tomorrow's quarterfinals at 11:30 a.m.
Watson, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, finished 6-of-8 from the floor and was perfect at the charity stripe (4-4). He was joined in double figures by Foster Loyer, who added 14 points to go along with 8 rebound and 6 assists, while Sam Mennenga scored 12 and also pulled down 8 boards.
In addition to holding all-conference guard Daryl Banks to 4-of-15 shooting, Grant Huffman turned in 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the 'Cats.
Following a back-and-forth start to the first 20 minutes, Davidson (16-15) gained a little separation with a 9-2 spurt late in the period to go up, 26-18. A Loyer pull-up jumper just before the horn gave the Wildcats a 31-26 advantage at the half.
Davidson stormed out of the locker room in the second half with a 7-0 run and pushed the margin to as many as 13 with 14:26 to play. The Bonnies got to within five, 51-46 on a Yann Farell trey at the 8:54 mark, but the Wildcats responded pushing the lead back to 13 in the closing minutes.
Chad Venning paced the Bonnies (14-18) with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
The Wildcats handed out 16 assists on 24 made field goals, held a 37-34 difference on the glass and committed just five turnovers.
The Wildcats, who have won five of their last six, advance to meet top-seeded VCU in tomorrow's quarterfinals at 11:30 a.m.
Watson, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, finished 6-of-8 from the floor and was perfect at the charity stripe (4-4). He was joined in double figures by Foster Loyer, who added 14 points to go along with 8 rebound and 6 assists, while Sam Mennenga scored 12 and also pulled down 8 boards.
In addition to holding all-conference guard Daryl Banks to 4-of-15 shooting, Grant Huffman turned in 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the 'Cats.
Following a back-and-forth start to the first 20 minutes, Davidson (16-15) gained a little separation with a 9-2 spurt late in the period to go up, 26-18. A Loyer pull-up jumper just before the horn gave the Wildcats a 31-26 advantage at the half.
Davidson stormed out of the locker room in the second half with a 7-0 run and pushed the margin to as many as 13 with 14:26 to play. The Bonnies got to within five, 51-46 on a Yann Farell trey at the 8:54 mark, but the Wildcats responded pushing the lead back to 13 in the closing minutes.
Chad Venning paced the Bonnies (14-18) with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
The Wildcats handed out 16 assists on 24 made field goals, held a 37-34 difference on the glass and committed just five turnovers.
Team Stats
SBU
DC
FG%
.411
.400
3FG%
.263
.182
FT%
.500
.867
RB
34
37
TO
12
5
STL
3
6
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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