The win was both big for the standings, it moved the Bonnies back into a first-place tie in the A-10, the potential postseason picture and by snapping a losing skid against a team that has become their nemesis in recent years. Sunday’s victory snapped a four-game losing streak against Davidson, a team that entered the day No. 71 in the NCAA NET rankings while the Bonnies slotted No. 45.

Holmes picked a great time for his second double-double of the year, pulling down a career-high 11 rebounds as the Bonnies improved to 11-3 overall and 9-3 in A-10 play.

Lofton came through clutch as well, delivering several huge shots during the second half while also adding six assists.

St. Bonaventure took a two-point lead to halftime, but pulled away during the second half thanks to shooting better than 57 percent (15 for 26) in the final 20 minutes. During that stretch, the Bonnies had inarguably their best shooting stretch from beyond the arc this year as they sank 9-of-11 tries from distance.

St. Bonaventure’s Kyle Lofton looks to make a play while Davidson’s Kellan Grady defends during Sunday’s Atlantic 10 game at the Reilly Center. Photo by Scott Eddy | St. Bonaventure Athletics

It was a stark contrast to the cold start for both teams that saw them combine for just nine points through the first seven minutes.

St. Bonaventure found some rhythm despite Osun Osunniyi sitting for much of the half due to two early fouls with the Bonnies opening up a seven-point lead.

In familiar fashion, though, Davidson grabbed momentum as six of their 10 first half buckets came from beyond the arc to momentarily take the lead.

Osunniyi returned just before halftime, and his layup before the buzzer sent the Bonnies to intermission ahead, 28-26.

The teams would swap the lead 12 times throughout the afternoon, but the Wildcats would lead for just 17 seconds during the second half.

Luka Brajkovic drilled a 3 on the first possession of the half, but Jalen Adaway immediately answered with a driving layup to re-take the lead 40 seconds into the second period.

The Bonnies would never relinquish that advantage.

Davidson was within a point, 44-43, at the 12:45 mark before the Bonnies went on a surge. A jumper from Holmes followed by back-to-back treys from Lofton pushed the lead to double digits for the first time, 53-43.

The Wildcats (11-6, 6-3) responded with two 3-pointers of their own to get within four, but after a timeout, the Bonnies scored six straight to push ahead by 10 again with 6:18 left. From there, the hosts were able to maintain a three-possession lead the rest of the way.

Like in past meetings over the past three years, Davidson was able to do damage from beyond the arc by hitting 13 3-pointers. They came on extreme volume shooting, though, as Davidson attempted 37 3s and could connect on just eight 2-point efforts.

Hyunjung Lee was the standout player for the Wildcats, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from deep. Kellan Grady also had a strong effort of 18 points and five assists.

NOTES: The Bonnies owned a 39-25 advantage on the glass and a 24-16 edge in the paint. Turnovers were not a factor as both teams were in single digits: Eight from the Bonnies and six from Davidson. … Osunniyi added 8 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Adaway finished with 8 points and six rebounds while Dominick Welch added 9 points. … Jalen Shaw gave Bona over 10 solid minutes off the bench while Osunniyi was out with foul trouble. The junior posted 5 points and three rebounds. … Davidson has been lethal against the Bonnies from beyond the arc in recent years, but it was the Bonnies doing damage from deep when it mattered most Sunday. St. Bonaventure hit a season-high 11 3-pointers and went 11 for 21 from distance. Holmes led the way by going 5 for 7 from 3-point range while Lofton and Welch were each 3 for 5. … Bona improved to 7-0 in the Reilly Center this season.

UP NEXT: The Bonnies and Wildcats will now head to North Carolina where Davidson will play host Wednesday evening at 5 p.m.

DAVIDSON (58)

Brajkovic 3-9 0-0 8, Mennenga 0-3 0-0 0, Collins 0-5 0-0 0, Grady 7-12 1-3 18, Lee 6-10 0-0 18, M.Jones 2-6 2-2 8, Boachie-Yiadom 2-4 0-1 4, Huffman 1-2 0-0 2, B.Jones 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-53 3-6 58.

ST. BONAVENTURE (69)

Osunniyi 4-5 0-0 8, Adaway 3-10 2-2 8, Holmes 7-12 0-0 19, Lofton 6-13 3-3 18, Welch 3-6 0-0 9, Shaw 2-3 1-2 5, Vasquez 0-4 2-2 2. Totals 25-53 8-9 69.

Halftime–St. Bonaventure 28-26. 3-Point Goals–Davidson 13-37 (Lee 6-9, Grady 3-8, Brajkovic 2-6, M.Jones 2-6, Boachie-Yiadom 0-1, B.Jones 0-1, Mennenga 0-2, Collins 0-4), St. Bonaventure 11-21 (Holmes 5-7, Lofton 3-5, Welch 3-5, Adaway 0-1, Vasquez 0-3). Rebounds–Davidson 24 (Lee 5), St. Bonaventure 36 (Holmes 11). Assists–Davidson 16 (Grady 5), St. Bonaventure 15 (Lofton 6). Total Fouls–Davidson 12, St. Bonaventure 12.