The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team improved to 8-2 (2-0 MAAC) on the season, defeating Drexel 74-50 on Wednesday evening at the TD Bank Sports Center.
The Bobcats came out in the first half firing on all cylinders as they opened the game on a 10-0 run, which consisted of two Val Driscoll layups and two 3-pointers by Samantha Guastella. Guastella led Quinnipiac with 17 points, knocking down five 3-pointers on the evening.
“We have been getting some extra shots up in the gym a lot. That’s a big emphasis for us to get shots up before and after practice,” Guastella said. “My confidence is helped when my coaches and my teammates are telling me to keep shooting, especially when it’s hot.”
The Bobcats never trailed in the game.
“It was a really good 40 minute basketball game for us today,” Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “Our first [unit] came out and gave us a nice lead, then our second line came in, and they were just as good today especially on the defensive side.”
Quinnipiac never took its foot off the gas, no matter how large the lead ballooned to. The Bobcats started the second half on a 12-0 run sparked by eight straight points from Jasmine Martin and four points from Driscoll. Martin finished the game with 10 points, while Driscoll recorded 13.
“We just tried to make an emphasis on coming out of halftime and coming out in the beginning and trying to get a lead on their team,” senior guard Gillian (Boo) Abshire said. “We closed out the first half really well with a layup by Val. It gave us momentum coming out in the 2nd half and just take over the game.”
The Bobcats spread the ball around, as four players finish in double figures. Quinnipiac tallied 25 assists on 27 total field goals.
“When you have the weapons that we do offensively, it’s a tough combination to beat,” Fabbri said. “One of the greatest characteristics of this team is how we play unselfishly. These young ladies are worried about the team winning and what they need to on every play offensively and defensively.”
The Bobcats played great defense throughout the game by forcing their opponent to shoot 30 percent from the field. They also managed to get 30 points total from the bench.
“For us to be playing at such a high level, we need our second line to come in and anchor us,” Fabbri said. “Slowly but surely we have been getting that production and effort.”
The Bobcats hope to extend their five game winning streak when they take on the Hartford Hawks on Sunday, December 21st at Hartford.
“Two years ago when we won 30 games, Hartford was one of our losses when our seniors were sophomores,” Fabbri explained. “We just reminded them in the locker room to plant that seed so that we go in angry ready to play a good Hartford Hawk team on Sunday.”
