2012 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Final: Dayton 56, St. Bonaventure 53, the numbers

At the outset it didn't hold much drama. In the end Dayton captured the 2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament championship with a thrilling 56-53 victory over St. Bonaventure at St. Joseph's Hagan Arena. The efficiency numbers :

The Flyers raced out to a 22 point lead. Gradually the Bonnies, battled back, took a lead late but could not maintain. At the buzzer, Jessica Jenkins' potential game tying three pointer drew the back rim. The pace was on the quick side. Dayton likes to get out in transition and with a sizeable double digit deficit, the Bonnies weren't about to use much clock each possession. The efficiencies on both end were on the defensive side. Again, from the Bonnies perspective, holding a team with the many options of Dayton, to an 80 efficiency is usually enough for the win. But not when you are posting a 76.

The key factor. Was going to label this ‘what won it for Dayton'. As much as this factor was significant in Dayton's victory, it was the main falling for Jim Crowley's Bonnies.

The turnover rate:

An alarmingly high number for the Bonnies who value the ball as a major component of their philosophy. The early game jitters of the championship were there. But credit Dayton for forcing their opponents into 19 turnovers on the game. In the semifinal win over St. Joseph's the TO rate was just 14% for St. Bonaventure. More in line to what they are accustomed.

Rebounding was a concern but the taller Flyers only had a 34-31 overall rebounding edge and just 31-27% in offensive rebound percentage.

Neither team found long range shooting beneficial. The Flyers hit on only 6 of 20 (30%) while the Bonnies checked in at 4 of 13 (31%).

Marquee players on both sides did not put up their usual numbers. The Bonnies' Jessica Jenkins scored 9 points (shooting 3 of 9 from three). Megan Van Tatenhove added nine and was limited to three rebounds. On the Dayton side Justine Ratterman scored 13 points, grabbed 8 boards but had a tough time from the field shooting 4 of 13. The overall leading scorer and rebounder was the Bonnies' sophomore forward Doris Ortega with 18 points, 12 rebounds.

Dayton improved to 23-6. The Bonnies 29-3 overall and undefeated as Atlantic Ten regular season champions, came back from a double digit deficit to edge the Flyers in Dayton back in February. Dayton receives the automatic bid as A-10 champion while the Bonnies are certain to be in the Big Dance as well.