Wednesday, March 11th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Boardwalk Hall (10,500) -- Atlantic City, New Jersey. Television: None. Home Record: St. Bonnies 8-6, Richmond 9-6. Away Record: St. Bonnies 7-6, Richmond 7-7. Neutral Record: St. Bonnies 0-2, Richmond 1-1. Conference Record: St. Bonnies 6-10, Richmond 9-7. Series Record: Richmond leads, 9-3.

GAME NOTES: The final matchup in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament will pit the 10th-seeded St. Bonaventure Bonnies against the seventh-seeded Richmond Spiders, as the two teams collide at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The Bonnies have not enjoyed much success in this event, posting a meager 12-25 all-time ledger. This year could be more of the same for St. Bonaventure, as the squad finished the regular-season with a lackluster 6-10 record in conference play. As for the Spiders, they were solid down the stretch, winning five of their last six matchups to finish the year with a respectable 9-7 mark in conference action. Richmond is relatively new to the A-10 Tournament and has posted a mere 5-7 record all-time in this event. The Bonnies defeated Richmond, 71-67 earlier this season, but despite the loss St. Bonaventure still hold a solid 9-3 edge in the all-time series.

The Bonnies were not overwhelming at either end of the court this season, which would explain the team's mediocre 15-14 overall record. St. Bonaventure heads into the postseason averaging a pedestrian 70.8 ppg, behind a healthy 45.4 percent shooting effort. The team however, has been unable to get out of its own way, shooting just 66.6 percent from the foul line, while committing a conference-worst 16.9 turnovers per matchup. Jonathan Hall was a big source down low for the Bonnies, as the big man is averaging 12.9 ppg, to go along with team highs in rebounds (6.4 rpg) and assists (94). Andrew Nicholson exploded on the scene at St. Bonaventure, posting 12.5 ppg, to go along with 6.0 rpg and a team-best 7.9 rpg. Nicholson's outstanding play as a freshman earned him the Atlantic 10 Newcomer of the Year award and also a spot on the conference's All-Rookie Team. Chris Matthews rounds out the double-figure performers, netting 12.5 ppg, despite shooting below 40.0 percent on the year.

Much like their counterpart, the Spiders were not a dangerous team at the offensive end of the floor, but the squad did just enough to grab victories. Richmond comes into this event averaging a mediocre 70.0 ppg, despite shooting a very strong 46.1 percent from the floor. Kevin Anderson was clearly the best option on the floor, as the guard leads the squad with 16.2 ppg. Anderson, who was tabbed for the Atlantic 10's Second Team, also contributed 82 assists on the year and a team-best 44 steals. David Gonzalvez has been a dangerous threat from the perimeter, shooting 39.9 percent from behind the arc, while posting 15.6 ppg. Leading the way in the paint has been Justin Harper, who is chipping in 10.0 ppg, to go along with a team-best 4.9 rpg.

The Bonnies got the better of Richmond earlier this season, and should take care of business once again. Look for Nicholson to make his presence known in the tournament.

Predicted Outcome

St. Bonaventure 73, Richmond 67