It was all Notre Dame.
The Raleigh Regional matchup saw the Irish post a convincing 79-35 victory over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. To compete, the Bonnies had to establish a strong start on the offensive end. They didn't.
The numbers and further analysis after the jump.
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St. Bonaventure
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Notre Dame
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Possessions
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67
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71
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Offensive Efficiency
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52
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111
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eFG
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19.8
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56.6
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FT Rate
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33
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16
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OREB PCT
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26
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39
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TO Rate
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28
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19.7
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This one was all Notre Dame, virtually from tip to buzzer. The first four minutes of the game saw Notre Dame get out to an 11-2 lead. Their pressure defense in half and full court forced Bonaventure turnovers and simply disrupted their offense. Jim Crowley's club could not get into a flow, struggling to execute their sets in half court.
At the half the Bonnies trailed 35-13. Any remote hopes of getting back into the contest were ended the first four minutes following intermission. The Bonnies had eight possessions, coming up scoreless on each. Notre Dame meanwhile, scored eight points on their seven possessions, over that four minute interval, to open a 43-13 lead and basically put the game away.
The efficiency numbers bear out the disparity. Notre Dame was the first team to break 70 points against the Bonnies this season. On the other side, the offense struggled for the duration.
A team that valued the ball with excellence this season, the Bonnies were guilty of 19 turnovers, a TO rate just shy of 30%. On the boards both teams had 10 offensive rebounds. The ND overall rebounding edge of 39-26 spelled a significant difference in offensive rebounding percentage.
Not just Skylar. The Irish had three players hit double figures. Natalie Novosel led all scorers with b16 points. Kaila Turner scored 14 and Kayla McBride 10. Diggins actually had 8 points, adding 5 assists and rebounds in just v26 minutes.
Bonnies were led by Cece Dixon with 13 points. Doris Ortega added 11. The play of those two, who return for the Bonnies nex year, was a bright sign of encouragement. Notre Dame did an outstanding job defending the Bonnie tandem of Jessica Jenkins and megan Van Totenhove. Jenkins went scoreless shooting 0 for 6 from the floor. Credit ND's Brittany Mallory lock down defense, for limiting the opportunities and touches afforded the Bonnie sharpshooter. Van Totenhove found the going tough inside, scoring 3 points while adding six rebounds. Bonnies shot 1 of 12 from three point range (8%). The only try, a buzzer beater by Dixon the close the first half.
For the Bonnies, a rough exit to their greatest season in their women's basketball history. Thirty one wins, an Atlantic Ten regular season title and Sweet 16. A harsh ending for seniors Jenkins and Van Totenhove. But as Crowley said Sunday and on numerous occasions, "forty minutes does not define a season."
Notre Dame will face Maryland, a come from behind winner over defending champion Texas A & M, in the regional final.