Bona Comeback Falls Short

St. Bonaventure climbed out of a 22-point hole to take a one-point lead with 2:16 to go, but Dayton sank free throws with time running low and hung on for a 56-53 win at the 2012 Buick Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship hosted by Saint Joseph's.

The Bonnies started the game a paltry 1-for-7 from the field, enduring a seven-minute stretch without a field goal, while turning the ball over 10 times in the first 12 minutes. The Flyers capitalized, building a 27-5 lead with 7:20 left in the half. The margin was the largest by any Bona opponent this season – before SBU charged back behind a 16-0 surge.

Sophomore Doris Ortega scored eight of her game-high 18 and grabbed 12 rebounds to power the rally and SBU clamped down - holding UD scoreless for an 11:14 span that bridged the halftime gap - after a rough start to fight back into the game.

SBU kept it within 10 for much of the second half, finally breaking through after Jessica Jenkins' 3-pointer with 4:57 to play. Jenkins' 103 triples this season broke the program record, a mark the Marion, Ohio native set herself least season.

Trailing by eight, 50-42, with 4:57 to play, Jenkins' final 3-pointer of the day sparked a frenetic 9-0 run. Ortega knocked down a pair from the charity stripe and Megan Van Tatenhove a jumper, all before Alaina Walker was fouled and hit both free throw attempts to give Bona its first lead of the game at 51-50.

Dayton's Patrice Lalor drew a foul in the lane with just 73 seconds to play and stepped to the line, where she converted for two of her 11 points, giving UD a lead that was just enough to end the Bonnies' 18-game win streak.

Dayton's Justine Raterman led the Flyers to their first A-10 title with 13 points and eight rebounds.

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