Nicholson Carries Bonnies into NCAA Tournament

It took 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks from the A-10 player of the year but Andrew Nicholson and the rest of his Saint Bonaventure Bonnies are heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.

12 years ago, the Bonaventure basketball program was embarrassed after they were found using an illegal player and then allowing the remaining players to boycott the remainder of the season.

Head coach Mark Schmidt talked all week about rebuilding the program the right way. The school's first Atlantic 10 championship is a great way to show that they have done that.

Da'Quan Cook and Charlon Kloof added nine points a piece to go along with Nicholson's magnificent performance Sunday afternoon in Atlantic City.

"He's a poor man's Tim Duncan" said Xavier head coach Chris Mack after the game. Nicholson was spectacular on both ends of the floor for the Bonnies. He hit shots in the post area as well as beyond the arch. His 8 blocks were the most telling stat as he consistently kept Xavier's forwards ineffective for the majority of the game.

St. Bonaventure opened up a double digit lead multiple times in the first half before taking a 13 point lead into the break.

During the halftime coverage on CBS, analyst Charles Barkley said that the Bonnies should have been up by even more. "They clearly outplayed the Musketeers in the first half."

Xavier hung tough in the second half after the Bonnies hot shooting went south. They were able to close the gap to as few as four but Nicholson and the rest of the players made big shots when they were needed.

Saint Bonaventure will await their seeding and opponent tonight at 7:00 pm EST when the brackets are released.

Regardless of the outcome in the tournament, the Bonnies have brought a spark back to "big four" basketball and athletics here in the Western New York Area.