Nicholson Leads Balanced, Decisive Win Over Fordham

February 23, 2012 BRONX, N.Y. – Andrew Nicholson totaled game-highs of 30 points and nine rebounds to lead four Bona players in double figures as St. Bonaventure (15-10, 8-5 Atlantic 10) dominated Fordham (9-17, 2-11) at Rose Hill, 89-63, on Wednesday. The senior went 10-of-14 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, pacing the Bonnies to their third win in four games. A leading candidate for Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Nicholson has tallied 25.2 points and 11.8 boards in his last five games, while making 6-of-7 3-pointers and converting at 66.2 percent from the field overall. The victory vaulted SBU into a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings. It also ensured that the Bonnies will finish above .500 in the league and overall in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2001 and 2002. Nicholson knocked down a jumper for the game's first points and Bona never looked back. Da'Quan Cook scored 10 of his 16 in the first 20 minutes while grabbing six boards, Demitrius Conger tallied 13, and Matthew Wright 10 with a trio of 3s off the bench. Point guard Charlon Kloof tied a career-high with six assists and added eight points. The Bonnies shot 63.0 percent for the game (29-46), including 64.3 percent in the first half despite a nearly hour-long delay with 5:58 to go before halftime. After a missed jumper, two Fordham players simultaneously attempted a put back dunk, bringing the backboard and shotclock down for a moment. Game officials eventually removed the bent rim and replaced it before play resumed. Nicholson, who completed his eighth career 30-point game and second in a row, made six of seven shots in the final 20 minutes to help SBU build a lead as large as 27 with 13:30 left. St. Bonaventure travels to Charlotte on Saturday. NOTES: Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade and Associate Commissioner Ed Pasque attended the game … scouts from the NBA's Thunder, Nets, Knicks, Bucks, Bobcats and Lakers were also among the spectators … all eight of Nicholson's 30-point outings have come in the last two seasons … a vocal group of Bona supporters, including Yahoo! Sports NBA Columnist Adrian Wojnarowski, created a home-game feel for SBU … every dressed player drew action for Bona … walk-on Zach Moore brought the bench to its feet with a hustle play at midcourt.