HAMDEN — Quinnipiac women’s basketball continued its winning ways against Iona, dominating the Gaels 80-54 in its fourth straight win Thursday afternoon. The victory keeps the Bobcats perfect in the opening MAAC slate.
“I thought it was a great team victory today,” head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “I’m really proud and pleased with the effort we put in today.”
The first quarter was one that saw the Gaels and the Bobcats battle back and forth.
Senior forward Ella O’Donnell got the scoring started first, beginning a 12-2 run for Quinnipiac. Iona would respond with a run of its own, cutting the lead to five by the end of the first quarter.
Early into the opening quarter, the Iona defense effectively neutralized the starting front court of graduate student guard Jackie Grisdale and freshman guard Ella Ryan, holding them to two combined points in first half.
With the starting guards struggling, Fabbri looked to the forwards and bench for offensive production.
And they delivered.
By the time the clock ran out at the end of the first half, Quinnipiac had gained significant distance from the Gaels. The Bobcats led by 15 at the end of the first half, with contributions from junior guard Karson Martin and junior forward Anna Foley.
“I thought we really found our spacing today,” Foley said. “I feel like we all knew what shots we could get.”
The third quarter was more of the same for Quinnipiac. While four different Bobcats netted baskets in the third, none shined brighter than Martin. After missing seven straight games due to injury, Martin finally got back into a groove, recording her highest point total since November 2024.
“It’s hard missing that many games and then trying to come back and play the same,” Martin said. “My teammates just got me in the right spots.”
Foley continued her dominance on both sides of the ball well into the third, entering into double figures off the bench for the fourth time this year.
“Coming off the bench has allowed me to see what the defense gives to my teammates before I go in and know what we can take advantage of,” Foley said. “I line up the shots that I know I can make and get into the spots that I’m successful on the floor.”
The Bobcats would continue their dominance on both sides of the ball well into the final quarter, converting on open chances and staying perfect at the free throw line.
Senior guard Sydney Ryan would also continue her strong start to her tenure in Bobcat gold, netting five rebounds and 14 points, putting her one point shy of the prestigious 1,000 point milestone.
Despite the score, the Gaels didn’t go down without a fight, going on a 9-2 run in the final three minutes. That effort wasn’t enough for Iona, as the clock expired and the 80-54 score went final.
The Bobcats will look to continue their undefeated stretch on Saturday against the Rider Broncs.
“We have to stay short sighted,” Fabbri said. “These kids are really locked in.”
Tip-off is scheduled from Lawrenceville, N.J. for 2 p.m.
