Saint Louis asserted its dominance from the opening tip, racing to a 58-26 halftime lead over St. Bonaventure at the Reilly Center. The Billikens' high-powered offense, led by Ishan Sharma's 29 points, never let up, resulting in a resounding 97-62 victory. This convincing win was foreshadowed by CHD Scout's pre-game prediction, which correctly picked Saint Louis to win, although the actual margin of 35 points far exceeded the predicted 9.4-point difference.
Dasonte Bowen was the lone bright spot for St. Bonaventure, scoring 17 points, but his efforts were not enough to stem the tide of the Saint Louis onslaught. The Billikens' offense was a well-oiled machine, with Sharma's scoring prowess complemented by 15 points from Trey Green and 12 points from Amari McCottry. Saint Louis's ability to share the ball and find open shooters was on full display, as they built an insurmountable lead in the first half.
The second half was more of the same, with Saint Louis continuing to pour it on and St. Bonaventure struggling to find any rhythm. The Bonnies' 36 points in the second half were a slight improvement over their first-half output, but it was too little, too late. Saint Louis, on the other hand, seemed content to coast to the finish line, scoring 39 points in the second half to seal the win.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Saint Louis, the win is classified as a Quad 3 victory, which, while not the most impactful, still helps to bolster their already strong profile. The Billikens' current net ranking of 22 suggests they are firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture, and performances like this will only serve to strengthen their case. On the other hand, St. Bonaventure's loss, while not unexpected, is a missed opportunity for a Quad 1 win, which could have greatly enhanced their tournament chances. The Bonnies' current net ranking of 144 indicates they still have work to do to get back into the tournament conversation.
As the season wears on, Saint Louis want to build on this impressive performance and continue to make its case as a top tournament seed. With Sharma leading the charge, the Billikens are a force to be reckoned with, and their dominance over St. Bonaventure is a reflection of their skill and depth. For St. Bonaventure, the focus will shift to regrouping and refocusing on their tournament aspirations, which, while still possible, have become more challenging with this loss.