St. Bonaventure struggled with the Gators' size and fresher legs, which led to a poor shooting night for the Bonnies, as they made just 35 percent (17-48) from the field including 3-19 from three-point range.
The Bonnies trailed by just five, 27-22, at halftime, but the Gators scored the first six points of the second half to move ahead 36-22. Florida wound up scoring 15 straight points over the last 2:46 of the first half through the opening minutes of the second half.
St. Bonaventure pulled to 39-29 but Florida then scored six of the next eight points to extend its lead to 45-31 by the 12:23 mark.
The run continued for the Gators as they moved ahead 54-35 just past the nine minute mark, and St. Bonaventure was not able to threaten after that point.
In the first half, the Bonnies got off to a slow start as they made just two of their first nine shots. After two Gator free throws, St. Bonaventure trailed 15-7 at the 11:58 mark.
Florida extended its lead to 20-9 before the Bonnies found their legs, converting four free throws. Matt Mobley then drained the Bonnies' first three-pointer of the night at the 7:02 mark to make it a 20-16 score. A free throw and a dunk by Mobley capped a 10-0 run that pulled St. Bonaventure within one, 20-19, with 5:42 left in the first.
The Bonnies tied the game at 21 on a jump hook by Amadi Ikpeze after holding the Gators scoreless for over seven minutes.
Making matters more challenging, Jaylen Adams was called for his third foul at the 10:14 mark and went to the bench for the rest of the first half.
In what turned out to be his final college game of St. Bonaventure's three seniors, Adams ended his brilliant career with 11 points and two assists. Mobley scored 10 points while Idris Taqqee grabbed 13 rebounds on the night, a career high, and scored four points with two blocks and two steals.
Stats Of The Game The Bonnies, who entered the game shooting 39 percent from long range, went 3-19 from three-point range. St. Bonaventure did outrebound the Gators 39-35.
Beyond The Boxscore
- St. Bonaventure ended the season with 26 wins, a school record. The prior record was 25 by the 1969-70 Final Four team.
- Taqqee wound up with 24 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games.
- Adams finishes his career with 1,912 points, which ranks sixth all-time in team history. He also ends third in assists with 560 and second in three-pointers with 270.
- Mobley ends his career with 1,209 points at St. Bonaventure and 1,928 points overall.
- The senior class finishes with 87 wins - most by a graduating class in program history.
