Brittany Dodson scored a team-high 19 points and went 14-of-14 from the free throw line Wednesday evening.
Saint Bonaventure 65, Morgan State 74
BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 17, 2010)-Brittany Dodson scored a game-high 19 points on just 2-of-5 shooting, including a three-pointer, but connected on 14-of-14 from the free throw line to lead Morgan State to a 74-65 non-conference win over visiting Saint Bonaventure on Wednesday evening at Hill Field House. The game was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
With the win, Morgan State won its fourth consecutive home opener and has won 10 of its last 11 home contests, including its seventh straight home victory dating back to last season.
The Lady Bears (2-1) also got contributions from senior Erin Hawkins, who scored 14 points and sophomore Moneshia Davis added 10 points to help Morgan State, which three days earlier lost on the road against fellow A-10 member, Saint Louis, improve to 5-23 all-time against the A-10 Conference with the win over Saint Bonaventure.
Saint Bonaventure (1-2) was led by Megan Tatenhove and Jessica Jenkins, who combined for 45 of the Bonnies' 65 points, including 31 of the team's 37 first half points. Tatenhove, who scored 18 of her game-high 26 points in the first half, connected on 10-of-14 shooting from the field, including 2-for-2 from the three-point arc, while Jenkins finished with 19 points (13 in the first half) on 6-of-13 shooting, including a game-high five three-pointers.
The visiting Bonnies jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on three baskets by Van Tatenhove, but the Lady Bears countered with a 9-2 spurt, capped off by a layup by Hawkins, giving the hosts their first lead of the game at 9-8.
Behind the shooting of Jenkins, the Bonnies went on a 10-2 run, with Jenkins scoring all 10 points, to reclaim the lead at 16-12.
Armelia Horton became the first Saint Bonaventure player other than Tatenhove or Jenkins to score, when she completed a three-point play, which gave the Bonnies a 21-19 lead with 8:22 to play. Tatenhove then followed with a three-point play of her own and Jenkins added her third trey of the half, to extend the Bonnies' cushion to 27-19 at the 5:51 mark.
The Lady Bears would pull within 28-32 after Whitney Southerland knocked down a three-pointer from the right corner with 1:52 left in the half. But on the ensuing possession, Tatenhove drained a three-pointer from the right elbow and the Bonnies would take a 37-30 advantage into the locker room.
Morgan State got five quick points from Moneshia Davis to start the second half and bring the hosts within 35-37. But Jenkins knocked down two consecutive three-pointers and the Bonnies upped their lead to 45-37.
Hawkins hit a three-pointer which triggered an 8-0 run by the Lady Bears and MyQueisha Bratton capped off the run with a three-pointer to even the score at 45 all with 14:30 left in the contest.
Morgan State held a slim 30-28 rebounding advantage over the Bonnies with Theresa Davis pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds and adding seven points for the Lady Bears, falling shy of her second double-double of the season.
The Lady Bears return to action on Saturday, Nov. 20, when they travel to Tampa, Fla. to take on the South Florida Bulls. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome. The Bulls (2-1) are coming off an 80-42 home victory over Stetson on Wednesday night.
BEAR CLAWS
-Brittany Dodson set a career high at the free throw line, hitting a perfect 14-of-14 from the charity stripe…Dodson also tallied two steals, giving her 102 for her career and is now five steals shy of moving into 12th all-time at Morgan State.
-Theresa Davis pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, giving her 460 for her career. She is now 40 rebounds shy of reaching the 500-rebound plateau.
-The Lady Bears shot a season-high 34 free throws, making a season-best 27 of them.
-Morgan State is 1-1 this season against the Atlantic 10 Conference, following the win over Saint Bonaventure. The Lady Bears lost to Saint Louis (11/14) and will play George Washington on Dec. 29 in Miami, Fla.
