Fox Sports

ST. BONAS 88 - UCONN 70

"St. Bonaventure Really smoked UCONN last night, here in Hartford"
- Digger Phelps ESPN Analyst

The Bonnies faithful turned out for what can only be called "a Bonas Classic"

Associated Press St. Bonaventure's Patricio Prato drives past UConn's Johnnie Selvie.

Approximately 400-plus Bonnies fans saw the new look Bonnies out-hustle and out-shoot the "three" and defensively pester the taller "Connecticut Basketball" team. The rafters--where most of the Bonnies faithful were seated--reverberated with "Let's Go Bonas." The UCONN fans, in and around the vicinity of the Bonas fanatics, were surprisingly somber for most of the game. With 15:57 left in the first half, the Bonnies went on a 14-5 run which put them out in front for good. They could not believe their eyes--and probably not their ears either! "Let's Go Bonas."

Prior to the game approx. 150 alumni and their families gathered at the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry in Hartford to talk about old times and debate the probable outcome of the game. Many were optimistic and thought the Bonnies would give UCONN a good game. What they got was a great game reminiscent of the Bonnies of Old. Bonas had all the answers. Any time UCONN made a mini-run, Bonas came back with their own run. A fourteen point half-time lead was viewed cautiously optimistically by all the faithful as there was concern about holding a lead in the second half after UCONN's adjustments.

The second half did see a change of strategy and UCONN went inside for points and got to the foul line for conversions. Great coaching and poise of the Bonnies made the real difference in the long haul. We held our own and in the end reversed roles on UCONN (UCONN has been traditionally a pesky pressing, defensive team under Coach Calhoun) and UCONN got a taste of its own medicine and did not respond.

After the game the euphoric fans trotted over to Conrad's at the Hartford Hilton to celebrate. Again, reminiscent of the Rathskellar after a home game at the UC (Reilly Center), the chant of "Let's Go Bonas" echoed through the Hilton's hallways and into Conrad's. Soon the place was packed with Bonnies and the locals did not know what to think. Conrad's quickly responded to the call and added more help to what they thought would be a quiet night after a UCONN defeat.

Not long after the bar was packed, several team members showed up to express their appreciation and signed autographs for fans young and old. Later, Coach van Breda Kolff stopped in to thank the fans for their support and comment on the amazing Bonaventure spirit he and the team have received wherever they go.

This game will certainly be remembered by all who attended as "a Bonas Classic" and a great time for Bonas fans. How 'bout dem Bonnies!

Marc Gallagher, SBU '74

>>Box and Play by Play

---

Men's Basketball
St. Bonaventure vs. UCONN
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Gampel Pavilion - Storrs, CT