NEW HAVEN — Quinnipiac and Yale is a rivalry that has stretched back nearly two decades. Since 2006, every matchup in any sport between the two schools has always garnered eyes on both sides of the coin.
The latest chapter in the Battle of Whitney Ave was written Tuesday night in New Haven, with the Bobcats taking home a 69-46 victory over the Bulldogs.
“We love winning,” senior guard Sydney Ryan said.
The Bobcats, coming off a 53-51 loss against the St. John’s Red Storm, began Tuesday’s contest on an offensive hot streak.
A missing piece to the Quinnipiac offense last week was the long ball going one for 15 on three point shots with the lone make coming from graduate student guard Jackie Grisdale. Against Yale, Quinnipiac was 10 for 24 from range.
The Bobcat attack would be unstoppable in the first quarter. Back to back threes from Grisdale and freshman forward Ella Ryan would begin a 18-2 run, giving the Bobcats an 18 point lead by the end of the first frame.
On the other side of the ball, Quinnipiac was lights-out. The Bobcat defense was able to hold Yale to only three field goals and nine total points.
In the second quarter, however, things started to slow down. Slowly but surely, Yale’s offense stirred to life. Senior forward Kiley Capstraw, sophomore guard Marissa Chapman and junior forward Luisa Vydrova jumpstarted Yale to a 14 point second quarter.
Quinnipiac’s offense pushed forward its offensive momentum into the second. Although it was less than the 27 point first quarter, the Bobcats would show their dominance across the court. It didn’t matter the range or distance it was coming from, the Bobcats continued to find ways to put the ball in the basket.
A major contributor to Quinnipiac’s first half success was Sydney Ryan. A transfer from Furman University, Sydney’s Bobcat career has started out hot and cold. Against the Bulldogs, Ryan would record a double-double, reaching 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Sydney Ryan’s contributions would continue into the second half, kicking it off with three rebounds and an assist on a three pointer from her sister Ella. That three pointer would be the lone long-ball Quinnipiac would hit. The Bobcats should be held to 11 points and hold Yale to seven points for the quarter.
“She sends a message every night,” head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “She played so damn hard until the very end.”
Once we got to the final frame, Quinnipiac stirred back to life. Defensively, Quinnipiac struggled. For the only time in the game, Yale outscored Quinnipiac. In the final ten minutes, the Bulldogs netted 16 points and held the Bobcats to 15.
Offensively two field goals from junior guard Paige Girardi and two three pointers from both Ryan sisters officially put the game out of reach for Yale and sealed Quinnipiac’s victory in the 20th chapter in the Battle of Whitney Ave.
“We wanted to extend and play four quarters of basketball,” Fabbri said. “It was good to see us build the lead and close out in four quarters.”
For the second game in a row, senior forward Ella O’Donnell led the team in scoring, completely dominating in the post to the tune of 14 total points. The Bobcats also finished the game with Grisdale, both Ella and Sydney Ryan, O’Donnell and Girardi having double digit point totals.
Quinnipiac returns home this Friday, Nov. 21, against the College of Charleston. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
