WOMEN’S NIT
Bona, Wisconsin are evenly matched
For all the things on St. Bonaventure’s resume this year, there is still one glaring omission: a signature road win.
The Bonnies have 22 victories, their most ever, a win over Michigan State (which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16) and the first postseason victory in Division I Big 4 women’s basketball history.
But that big road win has been elusive.
The Bonnies will have a chance to add that to their list of accomplishments, and keep their season alive, when they face Wisconsin in Madison in the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament tonight (8 p. m., Radio 95.7 FM, 1450 AM).
“It’s something we’ve talked about as a team,” Bona coach Jim Crowley said. “We have had a lot of success yet we haven’t been able to make that jump to having a really big road win. It’s a great challenge.
“Wisconsin is well-coached with good players and obviously they play in a great league [the Big Ten]. We’ve got a second chance and this is a team that loves to compete and hopefully we’ll go out there and have some faith and trust.”
Wisconsin scouting report The Badgers play very good team defense — an aggressive and physical style that makes it difficult for opponents to run effective cuts and get open shots. They are giving up just 56 points a game and are 19-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 65 points. In its win over Kentucky, Wisconsin had 15 assists, 10 steals and only 10 turnovers.
The Badgers create offense off their defense, but are a low-scoring team. Only Alyssa Karel averages double figures (12.9 ppg) while the team is averaging just 56.8 points a game.
Wisconsin (19-14) finished seventh in the Big Ten with a 6-12 mark but advanced to the conference tournament semifinals.
Bona scouting report The Bonnies held opponents to 57.8 points a game. They beat West Virginia despite being outrebounded and lately Crowley has been concerned about the rate of fouls his team is committing.
Offensively, junior Dana Mitchell (15.7 ppg) and senior Katelyn Murray (11.5) continue to pace the team. The Bonnies have shot an impressive 42.2 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range.
Outlook
This should shape up into a defensive battle as both teams like to grind it out.
The Badgers are 12-4 at home, Bona just 8-7 on the road.
Defense and experience goes to the Badgers but the Bonnies have better rebounding and shooting numbers.
The game could come down to the last possession.
For Bona to advance it needs to have a solid mentality and focus in order to overcome the challenges of a road game.
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