ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (AP) — Andrew Nicholson scored 24 points and St. Bonaventure beat La Salle 82-61 on Saturday for its third win in a row in the series.

The Bonnies, who came into the game shooting 44.6 percent, shot 51.7 percent (31 of 60), including going 17 for 28 in the second half. Nicholson made 10 of 17 shots.

St. Bonaventure was ahead from the start and led by double digits in the final 11 minutes.

An 18-6 run that stretched the lead from nine points to 70-49 with 6:19 to play, put the game out of reach.

Marquise Simmons added 18 points, Demetrius Conger had 15 and Ogo Adegboye 13 for the Bonnies (13-10, 5-5 Atlantic 10 Conference), who are 7-2 in the series at home.

Aaric Murray scored 20 points to lead the Explorers (12-14, 4-7), who have lost three of their past four games.

The Explorers struggled from the field, shooting 32.2 percent (19 of 59).

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Photo provided by goexplorers.com)