St. Bonaventure holds on to Franciscan Cup

ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) – Chance Moore posted a double-double with game-highs of 23 points and 10 rebounds as St. Bonaventure retained the Br. Ed Coughlin Franciscan Cup with a 65-48 decision over Siena Basketball at MVP Arena.

Melvin Council, Jr. tallied 14 points and swiped seven steals for St. Bonaventure (11-1) which is receiving votes in this week's Associated Press Top-25 Poll for the first time since November 2021. Noel Brown rounded out the double figure scorers with 10 points for the Bonnies, who are off to the program's best start in 55 years since beginning their 1969-70 Final Four season with 12 consecutive victories.
 
No player scored in double figures for Siena (5-6, 1-1) which was held to a season-low scoring output against a stout St. Bonaventure defense which entered play ranked 17^th nationally in scoring defense (61.4). The Saints shot just 32% from the field, including only 6-26 from three.
 
After Siena connected for the opening three, the Bonnies responded with the ensuing 15 points and didn't look back. St. Bonaventure led by as many as 19 in the first half, while taking a 34-17 lead at the break.
 
The Bonnies ultimately led by as many as 30 in the second half to snap a five-game win streak by the home team in the series.
 
Major Freeman and freshman Devin Brafford paced the Saints with nine points apiece, a career-high for the latter. Gavin Doty chipped in eight points for Siena which returned to the Capital Region for its first home game in exactly five weeks.  
 
Following a prolonged stretch away from home, the Saints remain home for the holidays to continue a span where they play four of five within the friendly confines of MVP Arena to bridge the New Year. Siena returns to action for its final contest prior to a 10-day holiday break when they host Holy Cross Friday night at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena.