Photo credits: Caiti Kaminski
The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team lost its third game in a row in a 78-70 overtime loss to Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon. Senior center Courtney Kaminski led Quinnipiac with 20 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort.
CCSU lost to Quinnipiac on Jan. 14 and Sacred Heart last Saturday, but after beating Sacred Heart in a rematch, the Blue Devils came to Hamden inspired.
“Central Connecticut came in with a lot of confidence after beating Sacred Heart at Sacred Heart,” Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “We controlled 30 out of a 40-minute game, but today was 45 minutes and we didn’t play all 45.”
Kaminski and sophomore forward Jacinda Dunbar (14 points, 13 rebounds) both had four fouls going into the overtime period. An offensive foul called on Kaminski forced her to sit out the remaining two minutes.
“It was pivotal that [Dunbar and Kaminski] stay in the game,” Fabbri said. “Unfortunately for us, Courtney ended up on the bench. It was just a tough circumstance to have her on the bench. She’s definitely our go-to player along with Jacinda.”
Foul trouble wasn’t the only thing that hurt the Bobcats. CCSU capitalized off 24 Bobcat turnovers, scoring 30 points off giveaways. Bench production was another problem for Quinnipiac. The team managed only 10 points, including just one point in the first half.
Despite the loss, Quinnipiac’s offense had a strong showing all around, shooting 41 percent from the floor, including 39 percent from beyond the arc. Alyssa Jann, who scored 14 points in the game, made four from 3-point range. Freshman guard Lisa Lebak also was in double figures with 10.
The Bobcats led 32-29 at halftime and extended their lead to 10 in the second half, but the Blue Devils clawed back to tie the score with three minutes left in regulation.
The overtime period belonged to CCSU, as it outscored Quinnipiac 13-5.
There were 14 lead changes in the game, 13 of which occurred in the first half.
The Bobcats’ next game is on Thursday, Jan. 28 when they play Wagner at the Spiro Sports Center in Staten Island, N.Y.
