HAMDEN — Friday night showcase 98-91 loss between the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the Sacred Heart Pioneers could be described in one word: offensive.
The two squads combined for 189 points in a contest that saw picture-perfect longballs, show-stopping dunks and phenomenal coaching from two offensive masterminds. However, the game ended with the Pioneer’s head coach Anthony Latina’s squad coming out on top.
“You’re not gonna win many games giving up 98 points,” Quinnipiac’s head coach Tom Pecora said.
The Bobcats came into the game defensively with one goal on their mind which was to stop the three pointer. Entering the contest, Sacred Heart averaged 11 made three pointers a game and was shooting almost 40% from beyond the arc.
That streak didn’t end with the Bobcats, as the Pioneers would net 11 three pointers on 21 attempts.
“We weren’t extending defensively,” Pecora said.
From the opening tip, it became apparent that the two teams were about to enter into a shootout offensively. The Pioneers came into the game averaging 77 points per game and being outscored by a razor thin margin of 15 total points.
Sacred Heart got into the box score first with a longball from senior guard Dashon Gittens. Quinnipiac responded with back to back three’s from sophomore guard Jaden Zimmerman.
As a lot of games have gone, Zimmerman has found great success all over the hardwood. Whether it’s the three pointer, using his physicality to create looks at the basket or dishing it out to create opportunities for other Bobcats, the Bronx, N.Y. native has consistently found a way to make an impact on the court.
The Bobcats would also find offensive success in the paint. In particular, it was sophomore forward Grant Randall who thrived in the post to the tune of an 11 point,10 rebound double-double in the first half.
It was the kind of back and forth offensive duel that ended with the Bobcats holding a three point lead at halftime. But in similar fashion to Quinnipiac’s other losses, it’s youth began to show.
“It’s February on Sunday and we gotta get old,” Pecora said. “You point out every little thing and show them how they can learn from their mistakes”
After 15 more minutes of back and forth battling up and down the court, both squads settled into a dogfight to end the contest.
Sophomore guard Mekhi Conner netted four unanswered buckets to tie the game at 82. A statement dunk by freshman forward Keith McKnight followed by two immediate made free throws gave Quinnipiac the lead back, only for Gittens and sophomore guard Nyle Ralph-Beyer to knock down back to back threes to swing the lead in favor of the Pioneers for the final time.
From there, Sacred Heart would convert on nine straight free throws to put the game out of reach for Quinnipiac.
The loss marks the Bobcats fifth conference defeat as they begin to gear up for the MAAC championships in Atlantic City.
Quinnipiac looks to right the ship against the Fairfield Stags on Sunday, Feb 1. Tip-off from Fairfield, C.T. is set for 2 p.m.
