2015-16 #Bonnies Season in Review

St. Bonaventure turned in one of the best seasons in program history in 2015-16, returning to the upper echelon of the Atlantic 10 by finishing 24-8 overall and 12-4 in A-10 competition. The 24 overall victories and 12 Atlantic wins each represent the second-most in Bonnies history.

The Bonnies were rewarded with their second trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2012, earning an at-large bid. St. Bonaventure reached the Round of 32 following a first round victory over Oklahoma State, giving the Bonnies three wins over power conference foes during the year.

After a 1-2 start to the season, the Bonnies displayed the special year that was to come early and often by embarking on one of the best stretches in program history. In a winning streak spanning over 60 days, St. Bonaventure ran off 16 straight victories.

Included in the winning streak was an especially impressive marathon stretch during December of four wins in the span of a week coming over two power conference foes, Penn State and Georgetown, one of the NCAA's most successful programs in James Madison and Big 4 rival Buffalo.

The season also saw multiple individual records - senior Katie Healy broke the school's all-time career blocks record and she and fellow senior Nyla Rueter combined to give the Bonnies one of only three active 1,000-point scoring duos in the Atlantic 10.

After losses in the second and third games of the season, the Bonnies would never drop back-to-back games again the rest of the year.

The Bonnies led the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense and ranked second in points allowed, also ranking among the national leaders in each category.

Throughout the year, the Bonnies continued to show why the Reilly Center is among the toughest places to play in the nation. St. Bonaventure went a perfect 16-0 on home court, often playing in front of some of the Atlantic 10's largest crowds.

Bona won four games over RPI Top 55 teams including wins over RPI 18, 21 and 54 foes during the month of February, earning signature victories for their NCAA Tournament resume.

The work of the Bonnies throughout the season resulted in an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, returning for the first time since 2012.

A 10-seed in the tournament bracket, the Bonnies traveled across the country to Oregon where the Brown and White defeated No. 7 seed Oklahoma State in the first round for the program's third all-time NCAA Tournament victory.

"We're a unique place, that's what makes us special. We’ve got kids who are tough, have a lot of heart and who don’t want to let each other down. We have Bonaventure, a community that’s always behind us," - head coach Jim Crowley

St. Bonaventure was just as successful in the classroom - every member of the team posted a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and the squad had four players who had already completed their undergraduate degrees, more than any other team in the nation.

"Our kids know there is so much passion for basketball at St. Bonaventure and they are proud to represent that."
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