Cuts » erstand the importance of starting well, Sydney

SAINT BONAVENTURE, N.Y. -- Jaylen Adams scored 27 points, Matt Mobley had 20 points and eight rebounds, and St. Bonaventure beat Siena 81-74 on Wednesday night to regain the Franciscan Cup.The Bonnies hadnt captured the Cup in the annual game since 2013.Brett Bisping had a putback to pull Siena within 74-73 with 45 seconds left. But St. Bonaventure extended its lead to four points after Adams completed a 3-point play and Mobley sealed it with two free throws with 20 seconds left.Denzel Gregg and David Andoh each added 13 points for St. Bonaventure (4-2). It was a career-high for Andoh off the bench and Gregg grabbed 10 rebounds for his third straight double-double.The Bonnies were 23 of 27 from the free-throw line (85 percent) compared to Sienas 18 makes in 32 attempts (56 percent).Bisping had 23 points and 13 rebounds -- eight on the offensive end -- for his 20th career double-double for Siena (2-5). Marquis Wright made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points, but the Saints were just 6 of 18 from distance. Jamal Murray Nuggets Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Gary Harris Jersey . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. http://www.nuggetsprostore.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Jarred Vanderbilt Jersey . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. Tyler Lydon Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Blitzed by Hawthorn early in the 2014 AFL grand final, fast-starting Sydney are making sure the boot is now firmly on the other foot.Hawthorn ensured the last two grand finals were practically over by halftime thanks to dominant opening terms and the Swans are keen to emulate those feats.In 2014 they kicked five goals to two against Sydney in the first quarter and outscored them six to three in the second to lead by 42 points at halftime.It was more of the same in 2015, when the Hawks kicked five majors to West Coasts one in the opening term and were 31 up by the long break.In the past two weeks, Sydney have burnt off Adelaide and Geelong in similar fashion.They kicked seven goals in the first quarter of both games, having never previously booted more than six in the opening period of a finals fixture.The start will again be crucial when they face the Western Bulldogs in Saturdays grand final at the MCG.We understand the importance of starting well, Sydney ruckman Kurt Tippett told AAP.We always try to focus on our first couple of contests and and then flow from there.As a group, were well aware of how important the start is.The Swans have won 119 out of 25 first quarters, this season and havent trailed by more than 11 points at quarter time of any match.ddddddddddddSydney have kicked five or more goals in eight opening quarters this year, but their defence has also played a big part in their strong starts.Only twice this year have Sydney conceded more than three goals in an opening term, and they still won both games.They have kept five teams goalless till quarter time, among them competition heavy-hitters, Hawthorn, Geelong and Greater Western Sydney.The Bulldogs have also kicked five or more goals eight times in the first quarter, buthave been outscored in 11 of their 25 opening terms.Both clubs are among the top four in the competition in disposals, clearances, stoppages and tackles,I think the first half of footy is going to be red hot, said former Swans and Bulldogs forward Barry Hall.If the Bulldogs can stay with them, and I hope they can, they are a chance.Well see what sort of spirit theyve got in the second half of footy.They just play games out.. ' ' '