If you’ve been paying any attention to the Atlantic 10 lately, you know the vibe around the Reilly Center has shifted. It’s different. Last year, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies women’s basketball program was basically an afterthought in the national conversation, finishing deep in the NET rankings. Honestly, it was a rough watch.
But 2026?
That’s a whole different story.
Jim Crowley came back for his second stint with a plan that wasn't just about "rebuilding." It was about a total cultural overhaul. And it’s working. As of mid-January 2026, the Bonnies are sitting at an 11-6 overall record. For a team that struggled to find its footing for years, that’s not just a marginal improvement; it’s a statement.
The Crowley Effect and the "New" Brown and White
Jim Crowley isn't some new face. He’s the guy who took this program to the Sweet 16 back in 2012. He knows the floorboards of the RC better than anyone. When he returned in 2023, people were skeptical. Could you really catch lightning in a bottle twice?
The 2025-26 season is proving that maybe you can.
This roster is a weird, beautiful mix of local Western New York talent and gritty transfers. You’ve got players like Laycee Drake and Aaliyah Parker who aren't just putting up numbers; they’re changing how the team carries itself. Drake has been a revelation. She’s currently leading the team in scoring, averaging over 15 points a game. She’s the kind of guard who can get to the rim but also keeps defenders honest from the outside.
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Then there’s Aaliyah Parker.
Coming over from Niagara as a graduate transfer, she brought an immediate edge. You can see it in the way she defends. She’s averaging double figures (about 12.8 points per game) and leading the charge on the defensive end with over 30 steals on the season.
Why the Defense is Suddenly Terrifying
A lot of teams talk about "valuing the ball" and "playing tough D." Most of it is coach-speak. But the St. Bonaventure Bonnies women’s basketball team is actually doing it. They’ve consistently ranked near the top of the A-10 in scoring defense this year, often holding opponents under 60 points.
Check out these recent results:
- A gritty 46-38 win over Duquesne on the road. (Yeah, 38 points. In a whole game.)
- A 66-57 victory against Le Moyne.
- Holding George Washington to just 53 points in a nail-biting New Year's Eve win.
They aren't necessarily the tallest team. They aren't the fastest. But they are incredibly disciplined. Crowley’s system relies on "The Process"—a philosophy that prioritizes high-IQ rotations and making every single shot an opponent takes feel like a chore.
Bench Depth: The Secret Sauce
One thing most casual observers miss is the bench. St. Bonaventure has been averaging nearly 28 points per game from their reserves. That’s huge. You have players like Brianna Barr-Buday and freshman Mallory Heise coming in and providing a spark when the starters need a breather.
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Barr-Buday, a 6-foot-2 forward from Grand Island, brings a physicality that was sorely missing in previous seasons. She’s shooting over 57% from the floor. When she’s in, the paint becomes a no-fly zone.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
The Atlantic 10 is a gauntlet. There’s no other way to put it. While the Bonnies started conference play 2-3, those losses weren't blowouts (well, except for a tough one against a very good Richmond team).
They just finished a brutal stretch and are looking ahead to a massive home game against Saint Joseph’s on January 14. Following that, it's a trip down to NYC to face Fordham at Rose Hill Gymnasium. If they can split these next four games, they are firmly in the conversation for a top-half finish in the A-10 tournament.
The goal? March 4-8.
The Atlantic 10 Tournament is happening at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Virginia. Last year, the Bonnies were out in the first round. This year? No one wants to see them on their side of the bracket.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bonnies
There's this weird narrative that because St. Bonaventure is a small school in Olean, NY, they can’t compete for top-tier transfers.
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Wrong.
The portal has actually been a godsend for Crowley. He’s been able to pitch "hometown hero" status to girls like Kaylee Krysztof (Buffalo) and Kylie Buckley (Livonia). These are players who grew up watching Bonnies basketball and actually want to be there. You can’t fake that kind of chemistry.
It’s also about the "Bona Bubble." There isn't much to do in Olean besides play basketball and study. That isolation builds a specific type of bond. You see it on the floor—the way they communicate on screens, the way they celebrate a teammate’s charge more than their own bucket.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the St. Bonaventure Bonnies women’s basketball trajectory, keep an eye on these specific metrics over the next few weeks:
- Rebounding Margin: When the Bonnies out-rebound their opponent, they are almost unbeatable. Currently, they sit around a +2.2 margin, but they need to keep that number climbing against bigger squads like Saint Joseph's.
- Three-Point Percentage Defense: They’ve been holding teams to roughly 27% from deep. If that number stays low, they stay in every game.
- Laycee Drake's Minutes: She’s playing over 30 minutes a night. Keeping her fresh for the fourth quarter is the biggest challenge for the coaching staff right now.
The jump in the NET rankings tells the real story. Starting the season around 182 after finishing last year near the bottom (353) is a meteoric rise. It proves that the "Crowley 2.0" era isn't just nostalgia—it's a high-functioning D1 program again.
If you want to see where this team is headed, head to the Reilly Center for a Wednesday night game. The atmosphere is returning to the peak years, and for a program that has seen the lowest of lows, the climb back up is looking pretty solid.
The next step for the Bonnies is securing a winning record in conference play, something that would have seemed impossible just twelve months ago. Watch the Saint Joseph's game closely; it'll be the litmus test for whether this team is ready to leap into the A-10's elite tier.