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Bonnies Come Up Just Short As FT Shooting Does Them In

DAVIDSON, N.C. — St. Bonaventure twice rallied from double-digit second-half deficits but came up just short on Tuesday night, falling 68-63 to Davidson at Belk Arena.

The Bonnies were within three with under a minute to go but missed a shot and then turned the ball over on their next possession.

St. Bonaventure was undone partly by free throw shooting — a strength all season long — as the Bonnies went 14-of-24 at the line. The Bonnies’ 63 points are their third-lowest total in a game this season.

Matt Mobley led the Bonnies with 16 points. Jaylen Adams finished with 14 and freshman forward Josh Ayeni scored 12.

Playing in his final home game for Davidson, senior guard Jack Gibbs led all scorers with 29 points.

Sparked by Senior Night, Davidson got off to a hot start, making six of its first eight shots en route to a 19-10 lead by the 12:12 mark.

The Bonnies fell behind 23-12 as they made just four of their first 19 shots. It was 26-12 when the Bonnies rallied with 10 straight points to close to 26-22. Mobley capped the surge with a drive at the 3:21 mark.

LaDarien Griffin came off the bench to help spark the comeback with four points and two blocks.

Jack Gibbs made a 3-pointer but Ayeni and Adams scored to bring St. Bonaventure within 29-26 at halftime.

The second half began much like the first, as Gibbs scored 10 points to push the Wildcats’ lead up to 41-30 four minutes into the half.

Davidson still led by 11 when the Bonnies got back-to-back scores inside from Ayeni. After a Wildcat score, Nelson Kaputo made a 3-pointer to pull St. Bonaventure to 47-41.

It was a 58-49 game when Mobley scored consecutive field goals to make it a five-point game at 58-53.

Davidson went up 64-56 with 2:56 left, but Mobley made a 3-pointer and then St. Bonaventure pulled within 64-61 on two Adams free throws with 2:08 left but could never take the lead. The Bonnies missed a shot and turned the ball over once.

Neither team scored again until there were 11 seconds left and the Bonnies were forced to foul. Gibbs made two free throws to essentially seal the outcome. Adams made a layup, but Davidson made two free throws with six seconds left.

St. Bonaventure will complete the regular season Saturday at home against UMass. Game time is 4 p.m.

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