Vanterpool’s double-double not enough in Owls’ 70–65 loss to Bonnies

Devin Vanterpool scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Florida Atlantic came up short by slim margins and fell to Atlantic-10 power St. Bonaventure 70-65 on Sunday in Boca Raton.

Vanterpool shot 6-of-13 from the floor, including 3-of-8 from the three-point line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for the team’s only double-double. Amar Amkou added 12 points and Kanaan Carlyle chipped in nine points despite shooting 1-of-6 from the three-point line.

The Bonnies were led by Cayden Charles’ 16 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Both Frank Mitchell and Achille Lonati scored 13 points but in different ways. The Italian freshman shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to tie his current career high. The Canadian senior scored all of his points at the paint and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The Bonnies established an early 17-9 lead after a pair of Dasonte Bowen layups highlighted an 8-2 run halfway through the first half. Bowen finished with 10 points to round out the Bonnies’ double-digit scorers.

The Owls responded with a 12-4 run and tied the game 21-21 with 6:33 remaining until halftime after Carlyle made his only three-pointer of the game. The Owls shot 3-of-12 from the three-point line during the first half and went into halftime trailing 34-32.

The Bonnies made the same number of field goals as the Owls in the first half, including three-pointers, but with fewer attempts. Their lead stems from the two extra free throws they have made (5-of-6) compared to the Owls (3-of-6).

The Bonnies stormed out of the gate in the second half with seven points to stretch their lead to 41-31, five of which came on a layup and three-pointer by Joe Grahovac.

The Owls continued to claw back and remain within one point of the Bonnies, trailing 48-47 after Amkou made a three-pointer with 13:31 remaining.

A dunk from Devin Williams kept the Owls within three points in the final minute, trailing 68-65. The Owls were unable to get a shot off until Charles made the final two free throws necessary to seal the win for the Bonnies. Vanterpool intentionally missed a free throw for Isaiah Elohim to rebound and give Carlyle some looks from the three-point line before the final buzzer.

The Owls finish the first month of the season 5-3 highlighted by wins over Boston College and Loyola Marymount. Looking to rebound from two straight losses to highly competitive mid-majors, the Owls will travel to Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday, Dec. 7.