The Saint Joseph's Hawks, led by Derek Simpson's 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, delivered a shocking upset to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 71-65, at the Reilly Center, a venue where the Bonnies had been averaging 74.6 points per game over their last 5 contests. This win, a Quad 3 victory for the Hawks, marked a significant turn of events, as the Bonnies, with a 14-12 record, had been expected to take the win, given their 2.3-point predicted margin of victory, according to the CHD Scout prediction. However, the Hawks, with their 16-10 record, had other plans, outscoring the Bonnies 43-35 in the second half, with Simpson scoring 12 of his 23 points in the final 20 minutes. The Hawks' recent trend of averaging 68.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, while allowing 64.6 points per game, seemed to be the deciding factor in this matchup. The Bonnies, on the other hand, had been struggling, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games, including a 73-78 loss to Duquesne and a 70-72 loss to Dayton.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Bonnies taking a 30-28 lead into halftime, thanks in large part to Darryl Simmons II's 10 first-half points. However, the Hawks came out strong in the second half, with Simpson and Austin Williford combining for 15 points in the first 10 minutes, to take a 45-40 lead. The Bonnies fought back, with Dasonte Bowen scoring 7 of his 13 points in a 3-minute span, to tie the game at 50-50 with 8 minutes remaining. But the Hawks, led by Simpson's clutch shooting, including a 3-pointer with 2:30 remaining to give the Hawks a 65-58 lead, were able to pull away, outscoring the Bonnies 16-7 over the final 5 minutes. The Hawks' ability to score 43 points in the second half, including 12 points from Simpson, was the deciding factor in this matchup. The Bonnies, on the other hand, were only able to score 35 points in the second half, with Frank Mitchell scoring 6 of his 12 points in the final 20 minutes.
Saint Joseph's Hawks' Derek Simpson Scores 23 Points in Upset Win Over St. Bonaventure Bonnies
The star performers in this game were Simpson, who hit 9 of 17 shots, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and Justice Ajogbor, who added 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Hawks. For the Bonnies, Simmons II led the way with 18 points, while Bowen added 13 points, and Mitchell chipped in with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. But it was Simpson's ability to hit big shots, including a 3-pointer with 2:30 remaining, that made the difference in this game. Ajogbor's all-around performance, including 9 rebounds and 5 assists, was also crucial in the Hawks' win. The Bonnies, on the other hand, struggled to find consistent scoring, with Simmons II and Bowen combining for 31 points, but the rest of the team only scoring 34 points.
The CHD Scout prediction had the Bonnies winning by 2.3 points, but the Hawks' strong second-half performance, including 43 points, was the main reason for the upset. The Bonnies' recent trend of allowing 74.6 points per game over their last 5 contests, including a 73-78 loss to Duquesne and a 70-72 loss to Dayton, was a major factor in this game. The Hawks, on the other hand, had been averaging 68.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, while allowing 64.6 points per game, and their strong defense was able to hold the Bonnies to 65 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The CHD Scout prediction was wrong, and it was mainly due to the Hawks' ability to score 43 points in the second half, including 12 points from Simpson. The Bonnies, on the other hand, were only able to score 35 points in the second half, with Mitchell scoring 6 of his 12 points in the final 20 minutes. The Hawks' strong defense, which had been allowing 64.6 points per game over their last 5 contests, was able to hold the Bonnies to 65 points, 9 points below their average over their last 5 games. The Bonnies' recent trend of struggling on defense, allowing 74.6 points per game over their last 5 contests, was a major factor in this game.
The Hawks' win, a Quad 3 victory, marked a significant turn of events in the tournament picture. The Hawks, with their 16-10 record, had been on the bubble, but this win, combined with their recent trend of outscoring opponents by 4.2 points per game over their last 5 contests, has them firmly in the conversation. The Bonnies, on the other hand, had been ranked 146 in the NET, but this loss, their 3rd in their last 5 games, has them teetering on the edge. The Hawks' ability to score 71 points, including 43 points in the second half, was the deciding factor in this matchup.
The Hawks' win has real consequences for their tournament resume. With this Quad 3 win, the Hawks have improved their NET ranking to 160, and have put themselves firmly in the conversation for a tournament bid. The Bonnies, on the other hand, have seen their NET ranking drop to 146, and are now in danger of falling off the bubble. The Hawks' strong second-half performance, including 43 points, was the main reason for the win, and has them looking like a team that could make some noise in the tournament. The Bonnies, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus, as they look to get back on track and make a push for the tournament.