Quinnipiac men’s basketball racked up milestones on Valentine’s Day against Sacred Heart this past Friday. Graduate student guard Savion Lewis, graduate student center Paul Otieno, junior forward Amarri Monroe and freshman guard Jaden Zimmerman all had a game to remember.
Savion Lewis
In his seventh year of eligibility, Lewis has had some inconsistent contests as of late. But that wasn’t the case against Sacred Heart. Lewis has continued to showcase his ability to facilitate the basketball, dishing out 12 assists in the 99-90 victory of the Pioneers.
“He just goes and he makes the next play,” head coach Tom Pecora said. “He’s an ultra competitor, and the greatest skill any athlete can have is you gotta compete.”
Lewis broke Rob Monroe’s ‘05 Quinnipiac Division I program record for assists in a career, with 549, adding to his illustrious career in Hamden.
“Savion is like my big brother, he pushes me more than anybody does,” Monroe said. “Love playing with him. He makes me better.”
Paul Otieno
Otieno also had a career night on the boards with 16 rebounds, seven of them coming on the offensive side. This is nothing new for the Nairobi, Kenya native, who as of publication, is No. 4 in the country for offensive rebounding at 4.12 per game.
The graduate student center had his MAAC league-leading 11th double-double on the season with 20 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing his ability to be a force on both sides of the court.
“Our front line with Paul and Amarri, when they’re going out and getting double-doubles like that, they’re beasts that they’re tough to handle for opposing teams,” Pecora said on Jan. 31.
Amarri Monroe
Monroe, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, usually known for his scoring ability, showcased his presence on the glass along with filling the scoresheet. Friday, he pulled in 19 rebounds, setting a new career high.
“Mid-game, I told (Otieno), ‘Yo every time we get a double double together, we never lose,’” Monroe said. “So I said, ‘Let’s fight for some rebounds.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”
This record ran true, becoming the fourth time this season — Hofstra on Dec. 29, Merrimack on Jan. 16, Fairfield on Jan. 31 and now Sacred Heart on Feb. 14 — that the duo of Monroe and Otieno have earned double-doubles in victory.
Along with his career high in rebounds, with three steals in the game, Monroe broke his own record, becoming the Quinnipiac Division I single-season steals record holder with 66, as he eyes MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Jaden Zimmerman
The Bronx, New York, native has been in and out of the starting lineup this season, but has been able to perform on either end of the court, which showed against the Pioneers.
“Man, that kid didn’t miss,” Monroe said. “I told him to keep going. They couldn’t guard him. His shot was falling. He was getting to the rim, making his free throws.”
Zimmerman highlighted his ability to score on all three levels en route to setting a career high in points coming off the bench with 24, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 5-6 from behind the arc.
“His tenacity, how hard he goes to the basket,” senior guard Doug Young said. “The pride he takes on defense and just his shot-making ability, being able to step up and make big plays and make shots.”
The Bobcats have five games remaining before taking the hardwood in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and these four players are vital for their chance at the program’s first ever MAAC title.
