The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team is gearing up for an exciting matchup against Colgate on Wednesday night at the Reilly Center, with the game scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+, marking a prime opportunity for fans to catch the action.
St. Bonaventure has enjoyed an impressive 9-1 start to the season, bolstered by standout performances from key players. Forward Frank Mitchell has particularly shined, recently recording an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double in the team’s victory over Buffalo. This marked Mitchell’s fourth consecutive double-double, bringing his season average to 12.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game during this stretch. Remarkably, he is the first Bonnie to achieve four straight double-doubles since Dion Wright in 2016. Should he secure another double-double against Colgate, Mitchell will match a notable milestone set by Hall-of-Famer Andrew Nicholson in 2010. Furthermore, he is currently tied for second in the nation for double-doubles this season and leads all Atlantic 10 players.
Mitchell’s rebounding prowess is also evident, as he averages 10.6 rebounds per game, vastly outpacing his conference peers. With 106 rebounds, he has surpassed the century mark early in the season, continuing to solidify his role as a dominant force on the boards.
Meanwhile, senior forward Daniel Egbuniwe has stepped up as a crucial contributor during the team’s four-game win streak. After returning from an injury, Egbuniwe has averaged 12.5 points, along with contributing rebounds, assists, and steals. His shooting efficiency has been impressive, with a field goal percentage of 63% and making 47% of his attempts from three-point range.
Point guard Dasonte Bowen is also an integral member of the squad, consistently guiding the offense and contributing to the team’s scoring efforts. With a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.77, he’s establishing himself as a reliable player, reaching double figures in three of his last four games.
Freshman guard Ilia Ermakov has made a noticeable impact off the bench, especially after missing the initial five games of the season. He recently scored 12 points against Buffalo, demonstrating an effective shooting touch and contributing to the Bonnies’ overall depth.
The Bonnies are not just relying on a few key players, as evidenced by the balanced scoring in the recent victory against Buffalo, where six players scored in double figures. This reflects a significant improvement in team cohesion and offensive execution, something that has been highlighted by coaching staff after a season last year where the team struggled to achieve such evenly spread scoring.
Colgate enters the matchup with a 6-4 record and is coming off a strong win against Atlantic 10 competitor Fordham. The Raiders boast an efficient scoring average, ranking among the top teams nationally in field goal percentage. Jalen Cox leads Colgate in scoring and assists, making him a player to watch in the upcoming clash.
Historically, Colgate has the advantage in their series against St. Bonaventure, holding a 7-4 lead. However, since the 1929-30 season, the Bonnies have performed well against them, posting a 3-1 record. The last meeting between the two teams was during the 1996-97 season.
In an exciting promotional effort, fans have a chance to purchase a “winning streak ticket” for the game against Colgate. If St. Bonaventure emerges victorious, ticket holders will receive a complimentary ticket for the subsequent home game against Le Moyne, fostering support and engagement from the fanbase.
As the Bonnies look to extend their winning streak, the upcoming game promises to be a compelling matchup that fans will not want to miss.
