Nicholson Stars In Senior Day Win Over Rams

Andrew Nicholson recorded his fifth double double of the season with 32 points and 13 rebounds to pace St. Bonaventure (14-10, 7-5 A-10) to an 81-61 victory over Rhode Island in front of 5,480 fans at a sold-out Reilly Center. He tormented the Rams, totaling 20 points in the first half alone, while shooting 12-of-15 from the floor and blocking three shots on a night when the Bonnies honored their seniors. Classmate Da'Quan Cook knocked down seven of his eight free throws en route to nine points and five boards. Matthew Wright came off the bench for the first time in 18 games and responded with a career-high eight assists with no turnovers. He drained back-to-back 3-pointers in the first half, as part of an 11-2 Bona run that stretched a lead from 12 points to 21 midway through. Mike Powell chipped in 20 points and Nikola Malesevic 14 for the Rams in their fifth loss in as many games. Malesevic poured in eight straight for the Rams in a 10-2 run that cut the deficit to 14 at the 9:04 mark of the second half, but SBU put the game away with a 10-2 run of its own that made it a 20-point margin for most of the duration. Eric Mosely had all six of his points – a 3-pointer and a trio of free throws - in a 41-second span on consecutive possessions in that run, while Demitrius Conger booked 10 points and seven boards in the win. The Bonnies hit the road for the first time in three games, playing away games at Fordham (2/22) and Charlotte (2/25) next week as the Atlantic 10 race continues. NOTES: The sellout of the Reilly Center (5,480) is the first since no. 3 Saint Joseph's visited the RC Jan. 24, 2004 …  Buffalo Sabres' anthem singer Doug Allen performed the Canadian and U.S. national anthems prior to the game … team managers Katie Zimmerman and Ryan "Bones" Whitney were also honored in the senior ceremonies … graduate walk-on and Olean native Zach Moore drew game action … those in attendance included University President Sister Margaret Carney and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins … Nicholson became the fifth player in school history with 800 rebounds (803) and is 93 points shy of 2,000 for his career (1,907).