HAMDEN — Quinnipiac women’s basketball took care of business against Sacred Heart University on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Pioneers 65-49 for its seventh straight win, while keeping the Bobcats perfect in MAAC play.
“A total team win tonight,” head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “I am really proud of how we closed this game.”
The key to Quinnipiac’s win streak has been the defense, holding its opponents to under 50 points four times during the streak. From the opening tip, Quinnipiac would use its physicality to stay a leg up on the Pioneers for the opening frame on both sides of the ball. In particular, it was senior forward Ella O’Donnell who thrived in the post en route to a six point quarter.
It wasn’t just O’Donnell who had offensive success for the Bobcats. Freshman guard Ella Ryan also got out to a hot start, recording five points, a rebound, block and a steal in the Bobcats 21 point quarter.
With the Bobcat offense coming out hot, Sacred Heart had to stay close. And stay close they did.
Five different Pioneers entered the box score in the first, with senior guard Amelia Wood leading the way with five of Sacred Heart’s 17 first quarter points.
For Quinnipiac, they would fail to replicate its offensive success in the second period, struggling to convert on opportunities and leaving the door open for the Pioneers to convert off turnovers and allowing them to stay within striking distance.
In particular, it was the three pointer that struggled. Ryan’s three pointer halfway through the quarter was the sole long ball that the Bobcats would hit in the second.
When the second half began, the tide began to turn in favor of the home team.
On offense, Quinnipiac began to settle into a groove. Coming off the bench, junior guard Karson Martin and junior forward Anna Foley would record eight of the Bobcat’s 13 points.
“It just shows the depth of this team,” Fabbri said. “It shows why we’ve made it to 7-0 (in conference play).”
Anna’s impact would be felt on the defensive side of the ball as well, grabbing her seventh rebound of the game, finishing the contest with a double-double.
“Letting the game come to me and being aggressive on both sides of the ball,” Foley said. “No second chance points.”
With an eight point lead heading into the last ten minutes, Quinnipiac would start to gain distance from the Pioneers. Offensive contributions from both Foley and Martin would continue to swing momentum in the Bobcats favor.
In the game where she was honored as the latest member of the 1,000 point club, it was a long ball from senior guard Sydney Ryan that put the game out of reach. The Pioneers wouldn’t go down without a fight, but the Quinnipiac attack proved to be too much for Sacred Heart as the Bobcats win became final.
The Bobcats return to action next Saturday, Jan. 17, against the Marist Red Foxes. Tip-off is set from Hamden for 4 p.m.
