Nov. 28, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson tied his career high with 29 points and added a career-best 14 rebounds to lift the Bonnies to a 98-71 win over Norfolk State in the night cap of the Basketball Travelers Classic on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Saturday.
Nicholson, who set his previous career-high for rebounds with 12 in Friday night's win over Southeast Missouri State, connected on 11-of-13 shot attempts and added seven points from the free throw line as the Bonnies improved to 4-1 overall and set-up a match-up for the tournament's title against Illinois State Sunday at 3:35 p.m.
Chris Matthews added a season-high 21 points for St. Bonaventure and joined Nicholson in double figures along with Michael Davenport (15) and Jonathan Hall (13). Hall and Davenport also combined for 15 assists. St. Bonaventure shot a season-best 67.3 percent (37-of-55) for the game and limited Norfolk State (1-4) to 39.3 percent from the field.
Nicholson scored St. Bonaventure's first eight points en route to 23 total in the first half. His 8-of-9 shooting at the break was part of a 60.9 percent (14-of-23) shooting effort in the first half by the Bonnies. Norfolk State shot just 29 percent but trailed by only 13 at the break thanks to 10 first half free throws. Both teams combined for 25 fouls in the first 20 minutes.
The Spartans increased their shooting percentage to 50 percent in the second half, but couldn't pull any closer than 14 points. St. Bonaventure also bumped up its shooting in the second half, finishing the second 20 minutes with a 71.9 percent mark.
Rob Hampton scored a career-best 24 points for the Spartans and was joined in double figures by Michael Deloach (16). Hampton and Kyle O'Quinn each pulled down six rebounds to lead Norfolk State.
Norfolk State will take on Southeast Missouri State at 1 p.m. as play at the Basketball Travelers Classic concludes Sunday at Redbird Arena. Illinois State closes the tournament against St. Bonaventure at 3:35 p.m.
