Saturday, January 21
Hamden, CT
2:00 PM
Quinnipiac University
vs
Rider
QU Women's Basketball Hosts Rider in Battle of Top Two MAAC Teams on Saturday
1/20/2017 1:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcats Won First Meeting Against the Broncs, 91-79, Shooting a Season-High 53.4 Percent in Lawrenceville
Quinnipiac Bobcats (15-4, 8-1 MAAC) vs.
Rider Broncs (13-5, 7-2 MAAC)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 | 2:00 PM
Location: TD Bank Sports Center | Hamden, Conn.
All-Time Series vs. Rider: Quinnipiac leads 8-0
Last Meeting: W, 91-79 (December 30, 2016 at RID)
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GETTING BACK TO WINNING WAYS
For the first time in MAAC play, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team is coming off a loss. The Bobcats saw their seven-game win streak come to a halt on Thursday afternoon to a talented Monmouth squad that held Quinnipiac to a season-low 25.3 percent shooting from the floor in a 61-58 loss for the top team in the conference. Now with just one day to prepare, Quinnipiac must quickly forget the defeat and find a way to sweep the season series from a Rider team that is coming in 7-2 overall in the MAAC sitting in sole possession of second place. A battle between the two best teams in the conference, Saturday afternoon's matchup shapes up to a great one in Hamden.
SCOUTING THE BRONCS
ALL-TIME AGAINST RIDER
RPI REPORT
Through 18 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 55 in the most-recent report. Out of the 54 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 46 of those are high-major programs as the Bobcats are ninth-highest among mid-majors. Quinnipiac also owns easily the highest RPI among MAAC teams as the next-closest squad Rider comes in ranked No. 137 while Fairfield is third at No. 173 (349 teams ranked).
VOTERS TAKING NOTICE
The Quinnipiac women's basketball team has certainly caught the attention of votes as the Bobcats earned a program record No. 2 ranking for the third straight week in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. Quinnipiac's 15-4 record (8-1 MAAC) garners the program's best ranking ever in the national mid-major poll, besting the previous high mark of No. 4 from earlier this season (Nov. 25). Quinnipiac remains in the Top 5 for the seventh time in 2016-17, a feat the Bobcats had never before accomplished prior to the start of this season (high mark of No. 6 coming into 2016-17). After earning the No. 13 ranking in the preseason mid-major poll, Quinnipiac has earned a spot in the Top 10 through all 10 weeks of the 2016-17 season.
MAAC WIN STREAK
Quinnipiac saw its streak of 25 consecutive MAAC conference victories end in a 61-58 loss at Monmouth (1/19). An impressive streak nevertheless, the Bobcats strung together 17 straight wins to end the 2015-16 regular season and eight straight to open the 2016-17 season. That dominance is rivaled in recent time only by Marist who put together a 30-game unbeaten streak in the MAAC regular season that stretched from 2011-12 to an undefeated 18-0 record in 2012-13 and ending in 2013-14.
BIG MOVERS IN THE MAAC
Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac has reeled off a record of 66-12 (.846) in all games against MAAC opponents and 59-10 (.855) in regular season MAAC games, both records that currently lead all teams in the conference. The Bobcats surpassed longtime conference power Marist last season who owns a mark of 58-18 (.763) against conference foes over the last three seasons and stand 52-16 (.765) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 19 games this season, Quinnipiac holds the lead in eight different statistical categories while the Bobcats are ranked no worse than third out of 11 MAAC teams in 14 out of 21 major team statistics. Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in scoring offense (69.6), scoring defense (58.3), scoring margin (+11.4), field goal percentage defense (36.2), blocked shots (4.6), assists (16.6), steals (12.1) and turnover margin (+6.63).
HOME LOVIN
The TD Bank Sports Center, home of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, has long been one of the most difficult arenas to play at in the country. Since the 2012-13 season, Quinnipiac owns a record of 58-7 (.892) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 33-3 (.917). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 15th-best home win percentage in the nation over the last three seasons. The Bobcats' 14-0 mark at home in 2014-15 made them one of just 14 teams in the nation to finish with an undefeated home record.
STREAK BUSTED
Quinnipiac has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past three seasons when building a first half lead. After starting 2016-17 with a mark of 2-0 when owning a halftime lead, the Bobcats recently saw one of their most impressive streaks in program history come to an end in a 71-68 loss at Temple. Quinnipiac's three-point loss signaled the first time the Bobcats had lost a game in which they held a halftime lead since the 2014 MAAC Championship game against Marist. The undefeated streak, which lasted over the course of three seasons, came to an end at 45 straight wins for the Bobcats when holding a halftime lead. Quinnipiac went undefeated in both 2014-15 (24-0) and 2015-16 (19-0) and for the first two games of 2016-17 before suffering the defeat. Since then, the Bobcats are 11-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 56-2 (.966) since the start of 2014-15 in games in which Quinnipiac leads at the half.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
One of the most telling statistical trends all season for the Bobcats has been in the turnover department as Quinnipiac owns a +126 advantage (+6.63 per game; 12th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 294 times while forcing the opposition into 420 turnovers (22.1 per game) which ranks 13th in the nation. Just five of the Bobcats' 19 opponents this season have committed less than 20 turnovers in a single-game. The pressure-packed team defensive approach has translated directly into points as the Bobcats have outscored their 19 opponents 408-244 (+164) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 21.4 compared to 12.8 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 126-15 (.894) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 50-2 (.962) combined since 2014-15. During 2012-13 (18-0) and 2010-11 (8-0), the Bobcats rolled to undefeated records in each respective season when reaching the scoring plateau.
Quinnipiac's Record in Games Scoring 70+ Points Since 2007-08
Season Record
2016-17 9-0
2015-16 13-1
2014-15 28-1
2013-14 14-6
2012-13 18-0
2011-12 9-3
2010-11 8-0
2009-10 5-2
2008-09 11-1
2007-08 11-1
Total (10 Seasons) 126-15 (.894)
BOY CAN THE BOBCATS PROTECT THE BALL
Even after the graduation of the program's all-time assists leader Gillian Abshire in 2015, Quinnipiac has prolonged their supreme proficiency with the ball. The Bobcats predicate smart passes and protecting the ball on offense and the stats certainly reflect that trend as Quinnipiac has produced a conference-leading assist/turnover ratio in four of the last five seasons while ranking Top 50 in the nation three times. Through 19 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 59th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.06).
RETURN OF THE GOLD RUSH
Injuries forced Quinnipiac out of their rotation but now back at full strength, Quinnipiac has utilized their "Gold Rush" subbing strategy to the fullest extent. In this approach first developed in the team's 30-3 season in 2012-13, Quinnipiac chooses to sub five players in-and-out of the game at a time throughout entire 40-minute contests. Since making the move back to the traditional approach, Quinnipiac is averaging 70.2 PPG while shooting 38.1 percent, dishing out 16.8 assists per game and totaling 12.8 steals per contest. Of the 10 consistent "Gold Rush" players, only three are averaging more than 20 MPG while seven Bobcats are averaging at least 5.0 PPG. On the defensive end, Quinnipiac is holding opponents to just 58.3 PPG, 36.3 percent shooting, 29.3 percent from deep and just 188 assists to 378 turnovers for a miniscule 0.50 assist/turnover ratio.
PUTTING IN A GOOD FAY'S WORK
Jen Fay's return to the court in 2016-17 after a missed 2015-16 season has provided a huge boost to the Bobcats as she now leads the team in scoring (10.3 PPG). Credit Fay's production since the start of MAAC play as a leading indication to her spike in scoring as she leads the team averaging 11.8 points in just 19.0 minutes per contest through nine conference games. Fay is shooting a blistering 49.3 percent (37-75 FG) overall and is 20-of-25 (80 percent) from the free throw line while adding 1.4 steals. She has posted six double digit outings in nine league games and hasn't scored less than seven points in any MAAC contest this season.
PAULA POWERING THROUGH THE MAAC
The opening of conference play has marked the beginning of Paula Strautmane's dominance this season as the sophomore is averaging 11.4 points (47.1 FG%), 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 steals in just 18.9 minutes over nine league games. Her production in the conference has been a big key to success as she has compiled seven of her 10 double digit scoring games on the season in MAAC play. Strautmane has also done a much better job controlling her foul trouble as she averaged 3.7 fouls per game in 10 non-conference games but has lowered that average to just 2.8 fouls per game in nine conference games. She is coming off another solid showing as she put up 12 points and eight rebounds (six offensive) in 27 minutes at Monmouth (1/19).
LEADER OF THE PACK
Aryn McClure's 10-point effort against Canisius (1/7) marked her fourth double digit scoring game in the last five contests while she added three assists and two blocks in just 21 minutes. Playing in a system designed to feature 10+ players on a game-by-game basis, McClure's all-around production is beginning to stand out among the rest as she is posting 8.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.9 SPG and 1.2 BPG in 21.9 MPG through the last nine games combined. Those totals either lead the team or rank second in all six statistical categories over the nine-game span.
POINTS FOR HER ARE A SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan is beginning to find her niche on the offensive end as she pumped in a 19-point effort against No. 25/15 Oregon State (12/20) in the Play4Kay Shootout where she shot 7-of-13 overall and 3-for-3 from three-point range. Just one game removed from the breakout performance, Shewan exploded for a season high 20 points (6-8 FG, 8-9 FT) at Rider (12/30). All of this is coming directly after a three-game span wherein Shewan posted just three points.
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci continues to produce in a breakout redshirt senior season as she came through with 13 points (4-11 FG, 3-6 3FG) in 24 minutes against Fairfield (1/16). Martucci's team-leading 10th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs across the board in terms of field goal percentage (40.6), three-point field goal percentage (35.1), free throw percentage (92.3), steals (1.5) and points (10.2). She is one of just two Bobcats averaging double figures.
FABBRI FINDING HER WAY
Coming off a breakthrough sophomore season wherein she averaged 6.3 PPG on 36.4 3FG%, Carly Fabbri struggled with her shooting in the early going of 2016-17 as she contributed 2.6 PPG while shooting just 17.4 percent (4-23 3FG) from long range through the first 10 games of the new season. Fabbri has since broke through averaging 5.8 PPG on a much-improved 45 percent (9-20 3FG) shooting from long range in the last nine games. In that span she tallied a season high 12 points (4-6 3FG) against Long Beach State and followed with eight (2-2 3FG) points at Rider. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made nine over the last nine games alone.
WHO'S GONNA GO OFF THIS GAME?
Quinnipiac has long preached team depth as one of its biggest strengths and the 2016-17 season is certainly no different as seven players are averaging at least six points per game. No other team in the MAAC has that many as Marist is the second-closest with six. That depth has shown through on a consistent basis as the Bobcats have seen eight different players post a single-game team-leading scoring total on the season. Another key note is the Bobcats lead the MAAC in scoring offense (69.6) and have the second-fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.3) and Adily Martucci (10.2) are the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points. Only Saint Peter's has fewer 10+ PPG scorers with one on the roster.
ALL-AROUND ARYN
Struggling to find her shot for the large part of non-conference play, Aryn McClure is starting to find her shot as she is averaging 7.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.3 BPG in 21.2 MPG across nine MAAC games. McClure's 10-point effort against Canisius (1/7) was her seventh double digit scoring output of the season and her fourth over a five-game span. Even with the scoring trouble early in the season, McClure's all-around impact cannot be understated as she leads the team and sits tied for eighth in the MAAC in rebounding (6.6). She also ranks second on the team in assists (48) while she sits atop the team in steals (33) and blocks (26). McClure is the only player in the conference to lead her respective team in rebounding, steals and blocks.
JOHNSON JOINING THE FRAY
Brittany Johnson was a go-to scorer for the Bobcats as she pumped in 13 points (5-7 FG) in a 71-64 victory over Niagara (1/5). This effort comes five games removed from a career and game high 16 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3FG) to go along with six rebounds and a season high three steals in an 82-59 win at Hartford (12/10). Johnson's 13-point effort marked her fifth double digit scoring output of the season. Now in her third season, Johnson's scoring is a key indicator to the Bobcats' success as Quinnipiac owns a mark of 8-1 in games in which she hits double figures in scoring. Her scoring has also improved significantly this season as she has five 10+ point outings through 17 games in 2016-17 compared to just four double digit games through 53 contests in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
FINDING HER FORM
Starting the year shooting just 50 percent (16-32 FT) from the free throw line through the first 11 games of the season, Brittany Johnson has started to find her form as the junior is currently shooting 76 percent (19-25 FT) over the recent seven-game span. Johnson's 57 free throw attempts currently lead the team while her 35 makes from the charity stripe rank second on the team.
BIG NIGHT FOR SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan had herself a night against No. 25/15 Oregon State as she came up with 19 points, including 11 in the first quarter, as she accounted for nearly one-third of the Bobcats' total 60 points scored on the evening. For Shewan, the 19-point effort signaled her second double digit outing of the season while her 3-of-3 shooting from downtown gives her a new single-game career best for makes from three-point range. In her previous three games, Shewan had recorded just three points combined while she also came in with just two makes from behind the arc all season prior to finishing with three makes in her 20-minute scoring barrage.
BIG GAME PERFORMER
Adily Martucci continues to enjoy a breakout redshirt senior season for the Bobcats as she put together another solid outing against No. 25/15 Oregon State, tallying 12 points (5-12 FG) in 22 minutes while playing great defensively against All-American candidate Sydney Wiese. Martucci has shown a tendency to play her best against the best competition as she averaged a team-leading 13.3 points per game while shooting 43.8 percent (14-32 FG) in the three games the Bobcats played against high-major foes (Temple, Michigan State, Oregon State) this season. She went for eight points against the Owls, a career high 20-point night against the Spartans and most-recently 12 against the Beavers. For the season, Martucci leads the team with nine double digit point performances.
TONS OF TOOLS IN HER ARSENAL
Aryn McClure has been an all-around force this season as she owns averages of 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes per game. Out of the 11 schools in the MAAC, McClure is the only player in the league to lead her team in minutes (430), rebounds (125), steals (34) and blocks (29). McClure most-recently tallied two points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 27 minutes at Monmouth (1/19).
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied 12 points in a 60-55 win over Fairfield. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched nine double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those nine games, Fay is averaging 14.5 PPG while shooting a blistering 54.5 percent (48-88 FG) overall, 37.5 percent (15-40 3FG) from behind the arc and 89.5 percent (17-19 FT) from the charity stripe.
FRESHMAN FITS RIGHT IN
Given a chance at more playing time thanks to injuries in the normal Gold Rush rotation, freshman Vanessa Udoji has responded with solid outings in the seven games in which she plays at least 10 minutes. Starting with a season high 16 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3FG, 6-6 FT) and seven rebounds at Saint Peter's (12/1), Udoji followed that up with 13 points (6-9 FG) and five steals against Siena (12/6). A recent outing saw her finish with a solid all-around line of eight points and three assists in 17 minutes against Manhattan. In the seven games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 7.9 PPG (47.6 FG%, 88.9 FT%), 3.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG in 17.3 MPG.
TURNING THE PAIGE
Another rookie deserving of praise for making the most of her opportunity is Paige Warfel as the freshman forward has excelled in her two games with more than 10 minutes played this season. With injuries in the consistent Gold Rush rotation, Warfel was given the chance to play major minutes in two games and she responded with 11 points (3-7 FG, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and three steals in 19 minutes at Saint Peter's (12/1). She came back and tallied nine points (9-10 FT) with three rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes against the Peacocks at home (1/2). In those two games of significant minutes (15+), Warfel averaged 10.0 PPG (37.5 FG%, 91.7 FT%), 5.0 RPG (all offensive) and 2.5 SPG in 19.5 MPG. For the season, Warfel has grabbed 23 total rebounds, 17 of which (73.9 percent) have come on the offensive end.
POINTS ALL AROUND
Five Bobcats – Vanessa Udoji 16, Adily Martucci 13, Paige Warfel 11, Jen Fay 10 and Paula Strautmane 10 – hit double figures in the box score in a dominating 84-51 road win over Saint Peter's. This marked the first time since a road win over Rider back on Feb. 26, 2015 (44 games ago) that five Bobcats finished with at least 10 points in the same game.
SHE'S A THORN-TON IN THEIR SIDE
Edel Thornton posted one of the best games of her young career in an 84-51 road win at Saint Peter's as she tallied five points to go along with her seven assists against no turnovers in 17 minutes. Thornton's seven-assist outing is good enough for a career high as well as the most assists for any Bobcat in a game this season. In fact, Thornton dished out the most assists in a single-game without a turnover since the program's all-time assist leader Gillian Abshire posted 11 assists and no turnovers in a home win over Iona on Feb. 9, 2015 (50 games ago).
HAVE A DAY JEN FAY
Temple's hot shooting spoiled what was the best game of redshirt sophomore Jen Fay's young career as she finished with a career and game high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, 3-of-5 from three and 3-for-3 at the free throw line. Fay added six rebounds and two steals in just 25 minutes of action as she easily surpassed her previous career-best total of 11. Her 26 points also represents the highest single-game point total by a Bobcat since Samantha Guastella went for 28 in a home win over Siena on Dec. 5, 2014 (66 games ago).
BIG MAAC AWARD
Aryn McClure started the season taking home the league's first MAAC Player of the Week honor of 2016-17 as well as the first of her career. She also took home College Sports Madness' MAAC Player of the Week award, sweeping the week in what was a masterful performance from McClure over the 2-0 week. McClure started with her fifth career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists and a career high five blocks in the win over FGCU. She followed that up with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the comeback win over Dayton, netting 11 of her 12 points in the second half.
JUST A FEW NOTES ON THAT MANHATTAN WIN
GETTING AFTER THE GLASS
A significant edge in rebounding also helped aid in the Bobcats overcoming a poor shooting night as Quinnipiac owned a massive 54-35 (+19) edge in the rebounding department including a sizeable +17 advantage (26-9) on the offensive glass in a 64-53 win at Canisius (1/7). That +19 advantage is the largest single-game margin for the Bobcats since finishing +20 in a 96-54 win over Rider back on Feb. 7, 2015 (61 games ago). Quinnipiac's 26 offensive rebounds are the most for the Bobcats since totaling 30 against Manhattan on Dec. 6, 2015 (41 games ago) while the 54 team rebounds is the largest total grabbing 55 at Monmouth on March 1, 2015 (53 games ago).
NOTHING GOOD DOWNTOWN…NO WORRIES
Typically one of the strongest three-point shooting teams in the MAAC, Quinnipiac struggled mightily in their 71-64 win over Niagara (1/5) as the Bobcats finished just 2-for-23 (8.7 percent) from the three-point line for the game. That single-game total of two three-point field goal makes marks the fewest three-pointers made by the Bobcats in a winning effort since finishing just 1-for-11 in a 71-59 win at Rider back on Jan. 3, 2014 (102 games ago). On a percentage basis, the last time Quinnipiac shot worse than 8.7 percent from three in a win was all the way back on Jan. 7, 2012 when the Bobcats finished just 1-for-12 (8.3 percent) in a 59-43 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn.
HOW BOUT THAT COMEBACK THOUGH
Trailing by eight to start the fourth quarter, Quinnipiac stormed back with a 29-14 run in the final 10 minutes of play to claim a 71-64 road win over Niagara (1/5). Significant on many levels, Quinnipiac's eight-point deficit is the largest fourth quarter deficit overcome since the move to quarters over halves prior to the start of the 2015-16 season. The largest deficit overcome prior to the eight-point comeback was a six-point margin overcome in a 62-61 home win over Iona back on Feb. 12, 2016.
STILL GOTTA EARN 'EM EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE FREE
An absolute monstrous day at the free throw line for the Bobcats against Saint Peter's (1/2) led to a 28-for-36 performance for the game. The 28 made free throws was significant for the Bobcats in that Quinnipiac had not reached such a total in a single-game since going 32-for-39 back on Nov. 16, 2012 (149 games ago). Even just the 36 attempts from the free throw line stands out as the Bobcats hadn't attempted that many in the same 149-game span.
GOOD POINT
Quinnipiac went for a season high 91 points in a road win over Rider (12/30) that included season-bests in field goals made (31), field goal percentage (53.4) and free throws made (24). The 91-point night is tied for the eighth-most points scored in a single-game since Quinnipiac joined the NCAA Div. I ranks (1998-99) while it also marks the first time the Bobcats have gone over 90 points in a game this season as the previous season-high was in a 84-51 win at Saint Peter's (12/1). In the last four seasons (since 2013-14), Quinnipiac has scored 90+ points eight times, in the previous 15 seasons the Bobcats scored 90+ points just three times since joining Div. I.
I'LL TAKE A MCCLURE-Y WITH THAT
Finishing with her first double-double of the season at Rider (12/30), McClure stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points (5-11 FG) and 11 rebounds to go along with four assists and four steals in 27 minutes. McClure notched the first double-double for a Bobcat on the season and the fifth of her career. Eight of McClure's 14 points came in the fourth quarter including a pair of buckets early in the frame to fight off a pesky Rider squad threatening to reclaim the lead.
PLAY4KAY RECAP
Quinnipiac closed its run in the inaugural Play4Kay Shootout with a third place finish and 2-1 record playing against one of the most talented in-season tournament fields the Bobcats have ever seen. In a field that included two nationally-ranked teams (Oregon State, South Florida) as well as high-major Oklahoma State and several consistent mid-major powers (UNLV, New Mexico State, Long Beach State, Santa Clara), Quinnipiac managed two thrilling victories and a closely played loss to No. 25/15 Oregon State. The Bobcats began the tournament with a 49-46 victory over preseason WAC favorite New Mexico State. In the second round, Quinnipiac trailed the nationally-ranked Beavers by just six points at the start of the fourth quarter before ultimately falling, 75-60. The third place game was an epic back-and-forth duel as Quinnipiac pulled out the 63-60 victory over Long Beach State, an opponent who had defeated nationally-ranked South Florida in the first round. Adily Martucci earned All-Tournament honors after leading the Bobcats with 26 points across the three-game tournament.
THE RAREST OF FEATS
In a 49-46 win over New Mexico State to open the Play4Kay Shootout, Quinnipiac accomplished a feat seen before just once in the program's all-time history. Scoring just 49 points and defeating the Aggies by three, for just the second time in program history and first in the Div. I era (since 1998-99), the Bobcats won a game in which they scored less than 50 points. Incredibly, the Bobcats' last victory coming with less than 50 points scored came in the program's first-ever game, a 48-34 win over Hartford back on Jan. 27, 1975 (1,117 games ago).
IN THEIR DEFENSE
Quinnipiac's stellar defensive play carried the Bobcats in a 49-46 win over New Mexico State in the Play4Kay Shootout. The 46 points scored for the Aggies is the lowest total for a Bobcat opponent since allowing Fairfield to score 43 back on Jan. 15, 2015 (60 games ago). Turnovers loomed large as New Mexico State was forced into 28 while dishing out just four assists (0.14 assist/turnover ratio). New Mexico State came in leading the WAC in assist/turnover ratio (0.96) and hadn't coughed the ball up that many times since committing 31 turnovers on Nov. 19, 2015.
FORCING THE ISSUE
The Bobcat defense pitched a stellar defensive outing against Siena as the Saints were forced into 34 turnovers while Quinnipiac came up with 20 steals in the winning effort. The 34 forced turnovers for Quinnipiac are the second-most by a Bobcat opponent in a single-game in the Bobcats' Div. I program history (since 1998-99) – Quinnipiac forced Manhattan into 35 turnovers last season on Dec. 6, 2015.
WHAT A WIN!
Trailing 17 points with 14:30 remaining, the Bobcats gutted out the largest comeback in the program's Division I history as Quinnipiac came-from-behind to defeat fellow mid-major power Dayton, 63-60, in Ohio on Sunday, Nov. 13. The 17-point Quinnipiac comeback sets a new Div. I record, one better than a 16-point margin overcome in a 68-61 overtime win over Robert Morris back on Feb. 19, 2000.
TURNAROUND FOR THE AGES
Playing in front of a ravenous home fanbase of nearly 2,000 strong cheering for a Dayton team just two seasons removed from a run into the 2015 Elite Eight, the Bobcats were all but out of it trailing 46-29 with 4:30 left in the third quarter. After shooting a paltry 11-for-41 (26.8 percent) overall up to the 4:30 mark of the third quarter, Quinnipiac was nothing short of incredible for the final 14:30 of play. Led by the senior tandem of Morgan Manz and Adily Martucci, the Bobcats finished 13-of-26 (50 percent) in what amounted to a 20-point swing (34-14 run) to end the game.
RESUME BOOSTER
Quinnipiac opened 2016-17 with two of their most impressive wins in program history. Starting with a 66-56 win over perennial mid-major power Florida Gulf Coast, the Bobcats' 63-60 road win over Dayton comes against a Flyer team that had won six consecutive Atlantic-10 Championships from 2010-15. Between the Bobcats' first two opponents, Quinnipiac defeated a pair of teams that have combined for 453 wins (FGCU: 246-52; Dayton: 207-82), 50.3 wins per season (FGCU: 27.3; Dayton: 23), 77.1 winning percentage, 10 conference titles and five NCAA Tournament victories in the last nine seasons (since 2007-08).
MISSION COMPLETE
After a pair of thrilling meetings in the two seasons prior, the Bobcats finally broke through against Florida Gulf Coast as Quinnipiac dominated defensively in a 66-56 season-opening win at home over the fellow mid-major power. In a matchup pitting two programs ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll, then-No. 13 Quinnipiac put on a defensive clinic in holding then-No. 7 FGCU to just 20-of-61 shooting from the floor and 12 percent (3-25 3FG) from three. Quinnipiac's defensive outing from the three-point line is commendable considering FGCU ranked sixth in the nation with 9.3 made three-pointers per game in 2015-16.
THE 2015-16 REGULAR SEASON
Quinnipiac finished 22-7 overall and 17-3 in league play to earn the 2015-16 MAAC Regular Season Championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. Quinnipiac clinched its second straight MAAC Regular Season title with a win over Iona in a winner-take-all regular season finale. The regular season title was the Bobcats' third in the four years dating back to the 2012-13 campaign where Quinnipiac was crowned the NEC Regular Season Champions. The Bobcats became just the second MAAC team, joining Marist in 2004-05, to start their conference schedule with three losses and win the remainder of their games to take home the MAAC Regular Season title outright. Quinnipiac entered the MAAC Tournament winners of 17 straight games which was the sixth-longest streak in the nation.
HIGH-POWERED OFFENSIVE ATTACK
Quinnipiac's coaching staff has long preached an up-tempo offensive system and the stats certainly reflect its success as the Bobcats have led their respective conference in scoring offense and assists in four of the last five seasons. Starting in the final two years of the Northeast Conference, Quinnipiac averaged an NEC-leading 67.9 points per game in 2011-12 and 70.5 PPG in 2012-13. That success carried over since joining the MAAC as the Bobcats ranked second in the league at 73.4 PPG in 2013-14 before leading the way again in 2014-15 with a league-record 78.5 PPG as well as 67.5 PPG in 2015-16. Over the last five seasons, Quinnipiac's cumulative scoring average is 71.6 PPG while the team dishes out 16.6 assists per game across the 168-game span.
Rider Broncs (13-5, 7-2 MAAC)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 | 2:00 PM
Location: TD Bank Sports Center | Hamden, Conn.
All-Time Series vs. Rider: Quinnipiac leads 8-0
Last Meeting: W, 91-79 (December 30, 2016 at RID)
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GETTING BACK TO WINNING WAYS
For the first time in MAAC play, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team is coming off a loss. The Bobcats saw their seven-game win streak come to a halt on Thursday afternoon to a talented Monmouth squad that held Quinnipiac to a season-low 25.3 percent shooting from the floor in a 61-58 loss for the top team in the conference. Now with just one day to prepare, Quinnipiac must quickly forget the defeat and find a way to sweep the season series from a Rider team that is coming in 7-2 overall in the MAAC sitting in sole possession of second place. A battle between the two best teams in the conference, Saturday afternoon's matchup shapes up to a great one in Hamden.
SCOUTING THE BRONCS
- Easily the biggest surprise in the MAAC this season, Rider (13-5, 7-2 MAAC) has proved many wrong with their strong start to 2016-17 after being picked to finish 10th in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll
- The Broncs come in winners of five of their last six games, with the one loss coming in overtime due to a careless foul that gave Fairfield a crucial four-point play with the Stags down three and only four seconds remaining on the clock
- Consistency has been a hallmark this season as Rider has used the same starting lineup (Robin Perkins, Stella Johnson, Kamila Hoskova, Julia Duggan and Taylor Wentzel) in all 18 games thus far
- Depth is not one of the strengths on this Rider team as four Broncs average more than nine points (three in double figures) while the next-closest scorer posts 5.0 PPG on the season
- Senior guard Robin Perkins is putting up another impressive offensive season as she leads the team averaging 16.7 points (2nd in the MAAC) while shooting at a very high clip (42.9 FG%, 34.7 3FG%, 72.4 FT%)
- Perkins absolutely dominated the first matchup against the Bobcats this season as she blew up for a career high 33 points on 12-for-17 shooting and 5-of-8 from three, tallying her 1,000th career point in the process
- A ball-dominant shooting guard, Perkins has attempted 252 field goals this season of Rider's total 1005 (25.1 percent)
- An impressive feat is Perkins' 15.5 PPG mark as she is averaging just 28.0 minutes per game
- Perkins' running mate junior guard Kamila Hoskova is having herself a breakout season as she comes in with a solid all-around stat line: 12.1 PPG (47.7 FG%, 42.6 3FG%), 4.2 RPG in a team-leading 30.8 MPG
- The backcourt rounds out with perhaps the Broncs' most important player in freshman Stella Johnson
- Johnson's addition to the backcourt is one of the leading reasons behind the turnaround as the rookie is averaging 9.5 PPG on a staggering 54.1 percent shooting from the floor while adding 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG and 2.8 SPG
- Johnson's breakthrough has been a leading story behind the newfound success as she leads the MAAC in field goal percentage (54.1) while sitting third in the conference in steals (2.8)
- As a team, Rider ranks second in the conference at 68.3 points per game but the team defense has struggled at times allowing 62.8 points per game
- On field goal percentage, Rider has thrived ranking first in the MAAC on the offensive end (43.2) and second in field goal percentage defense (37.9)
- Rider is an attacking team that plays pressuring defense, as evidenced by their 9.7 steals per game which sits third in the MAAC as well as a +1.28 turnover margin which also ranks second in the conference
ALL-TIME AGAINST RIDER
- Quinnipiac holds the massive edge in the all-time series, coming in with a mark of 8-0 against the Broncs
- The two sides have met once already in 2016-17, with the Bobcats coming away with a 91-79 road win which saw Quinnipiac shoot a season-best 53.4 percent from the floor in scoring a season high 91 points
- Just two seasons ago, Quinnipiac defeated Rider 96-54 at home, which stands as the second-largest margin of victory (42) in the program's Div. I history
- Gillian Abshire also made history later in the 2014-15 season against Rider as she notched a single-game program record 14 assists in a 91-53 win in Lawrenceville
- Quinnipiac defeated Rider, 64-51, at home last season in a game in which the Broncs played largely without leading scorer Robin Perkins
- Later in the 2015-16 season, the Bobcats scored a 65-47 victory at Rider in a game that saw Quinnipiac hold the Broncs to just 47 points on 27.8 percent shooting (season-low for a Quinnipiac opponent last season)
RPI REPORT
Through 18 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 55 in the most-recent report. Out of the 54 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 46 of those are high-major programs as the Bobcats are ninth-highest among mid-majors. Quinnipiac also owns easily the highest RPI among MAAC teams as the next-closest squad Rider comes in ranked No. 137 while Fairfield is third at No. 173 (349 teams ranked).
VOTERS TAKING NOTICE
The Quinnipiac women's basketball team has certainly caught the attention of votes as the Bobcats earned a program record No. 2 ranking for the third straight week in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. Quinnipiac's 15-4 record (8-1 MAAC) garners the program's best ranking ever in the national mid-major poll, besting the previous high mark of No. 4 from earlier this season (Nov. 25). Quinnipiac remains in the Top 5 for the seventh time in 2016-17, a feat the Bobcats had never before accomplished prior to the start of this season (high mark of No. 6 coming into 2016-17). After earning the No. 13 ranking in the preseason mid-major poll, Quinnipiac has earned a spot in the Top 10 through all 10 weeks of the 2016-17 season.
MAAC WIN STREAK
Quinnipiac saw its streak of 25 consecutive MAAC conference victories end in a 61-58 loss at Monmouth (1/19). An impressive streak nevertheless, the Bobcats strung together 17 straight wins to end the 2015-16 regular season and eight straight to open the 2016-17 season. That dominance is rivaled in recent time only by Marist who put together a 30-game unbeaten streak in the MAAC regular season that stretched from 2011-12 to an undefeated 18-0 record in 2012-13 and ending in 2013-14.
BIG MOVERS IN THE MAAC
Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac has reeled off a record of 66-12 (.846) in all games against MAAC opponents and 59-10 (.855) in regular season MAAC games, both records that currently lead all teams in the conference. The Bobcats surpassed longtime conference power Marist last season who owns a mark of 58-18 (.763) against conference foes over the last three seasons and stand 52-16 (.765) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 19 games this season, Quinnipiac holds the lead in eight different statistical categories while the Bobcats are ranked no worse than third out of 11 MAAC teams in 14 out of 21 major team statistics. Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in scoring offense (69.6), scoring defense (58.3), scoring margin (+11.4), field goal percentage defense (36.2), blocked shots (4.6), assists (16.6), steals (12.1) and turnover margin (+6.63).
HOME LOVIN
The TD Bank Sports Center, home of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, has long been one of the most difficult arenas to play at in the country. Since the 2012-13 season, Quinnipiac owns a record of 58-7 (.892) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 33-3 (.917). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 15th-best home win percentage in the nation over the last three seasons. The Bobcats' 14-0 mark at home in 2014-15 made them one of just 14 teams in the nation to finish with an undefeated home record.
STREAK BUSTED
Quinnipiac has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past three seasons when building a first half lead. After starting 2016-17 with a mark of 2-0 when owning a halftime lead, the Bobcats recently saw one of their most impressive streaks in program history come to an end in a 71-68 loss at Temple. Quinnipiac's three-point loss signaled the first time the Bobcats had lost a game in which they held a halftime lead since the 2014 MAAC Championship game against Marist. The undefeated streak, which lasted over the course of three seasons, came to an end at 45 straight wins for the Bobcats when holding a halftime lead. Quinnipiac went undefeated in both 2014-15 (24-0) and 2015-16 (19-0) and for the first two games of 2016-17 before suffering the defeat. Since then, the Bobcats are 11-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 56-2 (.966) since the start of 2014-15 in games in which Quinnipiac leads at the half.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
One of the most telling statistical trends all season for the Bobcats has been in the turnover department as Quinnipiac owns a +126 advantage (+6.63 per game; 12th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 294 times while forcing the opposition into 420 turnovers (22.1 per game) which ranks 13th in the nation. Just five of the Bobcats' 19 opponents this season have committed less than 20 turnovers in a single-game. The pressure-packed team defensive approach has translated directly into points as the Bobcats have outscored their 19 opponents 408-244 (+164) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 21.4 compared to 12.8 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 126-15 (.894) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 50-2 (.962) combined since 2014-15. During 2012-13 (18-0) and 2010-11 (8-0), the Bobcats rolled to undefeated records in each respective season when reaching the scoring plateau.
Quinnipiac's Record in Games Scoring 70+ Points Since 2007-08
Season Record
2016-17 9-0
2015-16 13-1
2014-15 28-1
2013-14 14-6
2012-13 18-0
2011-12 9-3
2010-11 8-0
2009-10 5-2
2008-09 11-1
2007-08 11-1
Total (10 Seasons) 126-15 (.894)
BOY CAN THE BOBCATS PROTECT THE BALL
Even after the graduation of the program's all-time assists leader Gillian Abshire in 2015, Quinnipiac has prolonged their supreme proficiency with the ball. The Bobcats predicate smart passes and protecting the ball on offense and the stats certainly reflect that trend as Quinnipiac has produced a conference-leading assist/turnover ratio in four of the last five seasons while ranking Top 50 in the nation three times. Through 19 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 59th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.06).
| Assist/Turnover Ratio Last Five Seasons | |||||||||
| Season | Games | W-L | Ast | APG | TO | TPG | A/TO | NCAA Rank | Conf Rank |
| 2012-13 | 33 | 30-3 | 557 | 16.9 | 477 | 14.5 | 1.17 | 10th | 1st (NEC) |
| 2013-14 | 34 | 21-13 | 554 | 16.3 | 446 | 13.1 | 1.24 | 20th | 2nd (MAAC) |
| 2014-15 | 35 | 31-4 | 685 | 19.6 | 465 | 13.3 | 1.47 | 5th | 1st (MAAC) |
| 2015-16 | 34 | 25-9 | 523 | 15.4 | 507 | 14.9 | 1.03 | 51st | 2nd (MAAC) |
| 2016-17 | 19 | 15-4 | 316 | 16.6 | 294 | 15.5 | 1.06 | 59th | 1st (MAAC) |
| Total | 155 | 122-33 | 2635 | 17.0 | 2189 | 14.1 | 1.20 | ||
RETURN OF THE GOLD RUSH
Injuries forced Quinnipiac out of their rotation but now back at full strength, Quinnipiac has utilized their "Gold Rush" subbing strategy to the fullest extent. In this approach first developed in the team's 30-3 season in 2012-13, Quinnipiac chooses to sub five players in-and-out of the game at a time throughout entire 40-minute contests. Since making the move back to the traditional approach, Quinnipiac is averaging 70.2 PPG while shooting 38.1 percent, dishing out 16.8 assists per game and totaling 12.8 steals per contest. Of the 10 consistent "Gold Rush" players, only three are averaging more than 20 MPG while seven Bobcats are averaging at least 5.0 PPG. On the defensive end, Quinnipiac is holding opponents to just 58.3 PPG, 36.3 percent shooting, 29.3 percent from deep and just 188 assists to 378 turnovers for a miniscule 0.50 assist/turnover ratio.
PUTTING IN A GOOD FAY'S WORK
Jen Fay's return to the court in 2016-17 after a missed 2015-16 season has provided a huge boost to the Bobcats as she now leads the team in scoring (10.3 PPG). Credit Fay's production since the start of MAAC play as a leading indication to her spike in scoring as she leads the team averaging 11.8 points in just 19.0 minutes per contest through nine conference games. Fay is shooting a blistering 49.3 percent (37-75 FG) overall and is 20-of-25 (80 percent) from the free throw line while adding 1.4 steals. She has posted six double digit outings in nine league games and hasn't scored less than seven points in any MAAC contest this season.
PAULA POWERING THROUGH THE MAAC
The opening of conference play has marked the beginning of Paula Strautmane's dominance this season as the sophomore is averaging 11.4 points (47.1 FG%), 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 steals in just 18.9 minutes over nine league games. Her production in the conference has been a big key to success as she has compiled seven of her 10 double digit scoring games on the season in MAAC play. Strautmane has also done a much better job controlling her foul trouble as she averaged 3.7 fouls per game in 10 non-conference games but has lowered that average to just 2.8 fouls per game in nine conference games. She is coming off another solid showing as she put up 12 points and eight rebounds (six offensive) in 27 minutes at Monmouth (1/19).
LEADER OF THE PACK
Aryn McClure's 10-point effort against Canisius (1/7) marked her fourth double digit scoring game in the last five contests while she added three assists and two blocks in just 21 minutes. Playing in a system designed to feature 10+ players on a game-by-game basis, McClure's all-around production is beginning to stand out among the rest as she is posting 8.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.9 SPG and 1.2 BPG in 21.9 MPG through the last nine games combined. Those totals either lead the team or rank second in all six statistical categories over the nine-game span.
POINTS FOR HER ARE A SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan is beginning to find her niche on the offensive end as she pumped in a 19-point effort against No. 25/15 Oregon State (12/20) in the Play4Kay Shootout where she shot 7-of-13 overall and 3-for-3 from three-point range. Just one game removed from the breakout performance, Shewan exploded for a season high 20 points (6-8 FG, 8-9 FT) at Rider (12/30). All of this is coming directly after a three-game span wherein Shewan posted just three points.
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci continues to produce in a breakout redshirt senior season as she came through with 13 points (4-11 FG, 3-6 3FG) in 24 minutes against Fairfield (1/16). Martucci's team-leading 10th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs across the board in terms of field goal percentage (40.6), three-point field goal percentage (35.1), free throw percentage (92.3), steals (1.5) and points (10.2). She is one of just two Bobcats averaging double figures.
FABBRI FINDING HER WAY
Coming off a breakthrough sophomore season wherein she averaged 6.3 PPG on 36.4 3FG%, Carly Fabbri struggled with her shooting in the early going of 2016-17 as she contributed 2.6 PPG while shooting just 17.4 percent (4-23 3FG) from long range through the first 10 games of the new season. Fabbri has since broke through averaging 5.8 PPG on a much-improved 45 percent (9-20 3FG) shooting from long range in the last nine games. In that span she tallied a season high 12 points (4-6 3FG) against Long Beach State and followed with eight (2-2 3FG) points at Rider. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made nine over the last nine games alone.
WHO'S GONNA GO OFF THIS GAME?
Quinnipiac has long preached team depth as one of its biggest strengths and the 2016-17 season is certainly no different as seven players are averaging at least six points per game. No other team in the MAAC has that many as Marist is the second-closest with six. That depth has shown through on a consistent basis as the Bobcats have seen eight different players post a single-game team-leading scoring total on the season. Another key note is the Bobcats lead the MAAC in scoring offense (69.6) and have the second-fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.3) and Adily Martucci (10.2) are the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points. Only Saint Peter's has fewer 10+ PPG scorers with one on the roster.
ALL-AROUND ARYN
Struggling to find her shot for the large part of non-conference play, Aryn McClure is starting to find her shot as she is averaging 7.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.3 BPG in 21.2 MPG across nine MAAC games. McClure's 10-point effort against Canisius (1/7) was her seventh double digit scoring output of the season and her fourth over a five-game span. Even with the scoring trouble early in the season, McClure's all-around impact cannot be understated as she leads the team and sits tied for eighth in the MAAC in rebounding (6.6). She also ranks second on the team in assists (48) while she sits atop the team in steals (33) and blocks (26). McClure is the only player in the conference to lead her respective team in rebounding, steals and blocks.
JOHNSON JOINING THE FRAY
Brittany Johnson was a go-to scorer for the Bobcats as she pumped in 13 points (5-7 FG) in a 71-64 victory over Niagara (1/5). This effort comes five games removed from a career and game high 16 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3FG) to go along with six rebounds and a season high three steals in an 82-59 win at Hartford (12/10). Johnson's 13-point effort marked her fifth double digit scoring output of the season. Now in her third season, Johnson's scoring is a key indicator to the Bobcats' success as Quinnipiac owns a mark of 8-1 in games in which she hits double figures in scoring. Her scoring has also improved significantly this season as she has five 10+ point outings through 17 games in 2016-17 compared to just four double digit games through 53 contests in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
FINDING HER FORM
Starting the year shooting just 50 percent (16-32 FT) from the free throw line through the first 11 games of the season, Brittany Johnson has started to find her form as the junior is currently shooting 76 percent (19-25 FT) over the recent seven-game span. Johnson's 57 free throw attempts currently lead the team while her 35 makes from the charity stripe rank second on the team.
BIG NIGHT FOR SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan had herself a night against No. 25/15 Oregon State as she came up with 19 points, including 11 in the first quarter, as she accounted for nearly one-third of the Bobcats' total 60 points scored on the evening. For Shewan, the 19-point effort signaled her second double digit outing of the season while her 3-of-3 shooting from downtown gives her a new single-game career best for makes from three-point range. In her previous three games, Shewan had recorded just three points combined while she also came in with just two makes from behind the arc all season prior to finishing with three makes in her 20-minute scoring barrage.
BIG GAME PERFORMER
Adily Martucci continues to enjoy a breakout redshirt senior season for the Bobcats as she put together another solid outing against No. 25/15 Oregon State, tallying 12 points (5-12 FG) in 22 minutes while playing great defensively against All-American candidate Sydney Wiese. Martucci has shown a tendency to play her best against the best competition as she averaged a team-leading 13.3 points per game while shooting 43.8 percent (14-32 FG) in the three games the Bobcats played against high-major foes (Temple, Michigan State, Oregon State) this season. She went for eight points against the Owls, a career high 20-point night against the Spartans and most-recently 12 against the Beavers. For the season, Martucci leads the team with nine double digit point performances.
TONS OF TOOLS IN HER ARSENAL
Aryn McClure has been an all-around force this season as she owns averages of 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes per game. Out of the 11 schools in the MAAC, McClure is the only player in the league to lead her team in minutes (430), rebounds (125), steals (34) and blocks (29). McClure most-recently tallied two points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 27 minutes at Monmouth (1/19).
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied 12 points in a 60-55 win over Fairfield. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched nine double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those nine games, Fay is averaging 14.5 PPG while shooting a blistering 54.5 percent (48-88 FG) overall, 37.5 percent (15-40 3FG) from behind the arc and 89.5 percent (17-19 FT) from the charity stripe.
FRESHMAN FITS RIGHT IN
Given a chance at more playing time thanks to injuries in the normal Gold Rush rotation, freshman Vanessa Udoji has responded with solid outings in the seven games in which she plays at least 10 minutes. Starting with a season high 16 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3FG, 6-6 FT) and seven rebounds at Saint Peter's (12/1), Udoji followed that up with 13 points (6-9 FG) and five steals against Siena (12/6). A recent outing saw her finish with a solid all-around line of eight points and three assists in 17 minutes against Manhattan. In the seven games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 7.9 PPG (47.6 FG%, 88.9 FT%), 3.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG in 17.3 MPG.
TURNING THE PAIGE
Another rookie deserving of praise for making the most of her opportunity is Paige Warfel as the freshman forward has excelled in her two games with more than 10 minutes played this season. With injuries in the consistent Gold Rush rotation, Warfel was given the chance to play major minutes in two games and she responded with 11 points (3-7 FG, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and three steals in 19 minutes at Saint Peter's (12/1). She came back and tallied nine points (9-10 FT) with three rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes against the Peacocks at home (1/2). In those two games of significant minutes (15+), Warfel averaged 10.0 PPG (37.5 FG%, 91.7 FT%), 5.0 RPG (all offensive) and 2.5 SPG in 19.5 MPG. For the season, Warfel has grabbed 23 total rebounds, 17 of which (73.9 percent) have come on the offensive end.
POINTS ALL AROUND
Five Bobcats – Vanessa Udoji 16, Adily Martucci 13, Paige Warfel 11, Jen Fay 10 and Paula Strautmane 10 – hit double figures in the box score in a dominating 84-51 road win over Saint Peter's. This marked the first time since a road win over Rider back on Feb. 26, 2015 (44 games ago) that five Bobcats finished with at least 10 points in the same game.
SHE'S A THORN-TON IN THEIR SIDE
Edel Thornton posted one of the best games of her young career in an 84-51 road win at Saint Peter's as she tallied five points to go along with her seven assists against no turnovers in 17 minutes. Thornton's seven-assist outing is good enough for a career high as well as the most assists for any Bobcat in a game this season. In fact, Thornton dished out the most assists in a single-game without a turnover since the program's all-time assist leader Gillian Abshire posted 11 assists and no turnovers in a home win over Iona on Feb. 9, 2015 (50 games ago).
HAVE A DAY JEN FAY
Temple's hot shooting spoiled what was the best game of redshirt sophomore Jen Fay's young career as she finished with a career and game high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, 3-of-5 from three and 3-for-3 at the free throw line. Fay added six rebounds and two steals in just 25 minutes of action as she easily surpassed her previous career-best total of 11. Her 26 points also represents the highest single-game point total by a Bobcat since Samantha Guastella went for 28 in a home win over Siena on Dec. 5, 2014 (66 games ago).
BIG MAAC AWARD
Aryn McClure started the season taking home the league's first MAAC Player of the Week honor of 2016-17 as well as the first of her career. She also took home College Sports Madness' MAAC Player of the Week award, sweeping the week in what was a masterful performance from McClure over the 2-0 week. McClure started with her fifth career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists and a career high five blocks in the win over FGCU. She followed that up with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the comeback win over Dayton, netting 11 of her 12 points in the second half.
JUST A FEW NOTES ON THAT MANHATTAN WIN
- Quinnipiac's unbeaten streak hitting six games was a mere side note in this one-sided affair as the Jaspers' 38 points signal the fewest points allowed by the Bobcats to a MAAC opponent since joining the league in 2013-14 (77 games). The last time Quinnipiac allowed fewer points in a league game back on Jan. 23, 2012 in a 71-34 road win over Sacred Heart.
- Now a member of the NCAA Division I ranks for 19 seasons (since 1998-99), the 81-38 score marked just the fifth time in 559 games as a Div. I program that the Bobcats have allowed fewer than 40 points to an opponent.
- The 38 points allowed stands as the fewest point scored by a Bobcat opponent since defeating Saint Francis (PA), 72-33, in the 2013 Northeast Conference Championship (March 17, 2013 – 120 games ago).
- The stifling defensive effort, combined with steady offensive play throughout, led to what became the fourth-largest victory for Quinnipiac since joining Div. I. The 43-point victory falls three short of the Bobcats' 90-44 WNIT First Round win over Maine last season for the largest win in the program's Div. I history.
- The margin does stand as the largest to a MAAC foe and the most in a conference game since defeating Wagner 79-35 (Feb. 9, 2008 – 163 games ago) as a member of the NEC.
GETTING AFTER THE GLASS
A significant edge in rebounding also helped aid in the Bobcats overcoming a poor shooting night as Quinnipiac owned a massive 54-35 (+19) edge in the rebounding department including a sizeable +17 advantage (26-9) on the offensive glass in a 64-53 win at Canisius (1/7). That +19 advantage is the largest single-game margin for the Bobcats since finishing +20 in a 96-54 win over Rider back on Feb. 7, 2015 (61 games ago). Quinnipiac's 26 offensive rebounds are the most for the Bobcats since totaling 30 against Manhattan on Dec. 6, 2015 (41 games ago) while the 54 team rebounds is the largest total grabbing 55 at Monmouth on March 1, 2015 (53 games ago).
NOTHING GOOD DOWNTOWN…NO WORRIES
Typically one of the strongest three-point shooting teams in the MAAC, Quinnipiac struggled mightily in their 71-64 win over Niagara (1/5) as the Bobcats finished just 2-for-23 (8.7 percent) from the three-point line for the game. That single-game total of two three-point field goal makes marks the fewest three-pointers made by the Bobcats in a winning effort since finishing just 1-for-11 in a 71-59 win at Rider back on Jan. 3, 2014 (102 games ago). On a percentage basis, the last time Quinnipiac shot worse than 8.7 percent from three in a win was all the way back on Jan. 7, 2012 when the Bobcats finished just 1-for-12 (8.3 percent) in a 59-43 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn.
HOW BOUT THAT COMEBACK THOUGH
Trailing by eight to start the fourth quarter, Quinnipiac stormed back with a 29-14 run in the final 10 minutes of play to claim a 71-64 road win over Niagara (1/5). Significant on many levels, Quinnipiac's eight-point deficit is the largest fourth quarter deficit overcome since the move to quarters over halves prior to the start of the 2015-16 season. The largest deficit overcome prior to the eight-point comeback was a six-point margin overcome in a 62-61 home win over Iona back on Feb. 12, 2016.
STILL GOTTA EARN 'EM EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE FREE
An absolute monstrous day at the free throw line for the Bobcats against Saint Peter's (1/2) led to a 28-for-36 performance for the game. The 28 made free throws was significant for the Bobcats in that Quinnipiac had not reached such a total in a single-game since going 32-for-39 back on Nov. 16, 2012 (149 games ago). Even just the 36 attempts from the free throw line stands out as the Bobcats hadn't attempted that many in the same 149-game span.
GOOD POINT
Quinnipiac went for a season high 91 points in a road win over Rider (12/30) that included season-bests in field goals made (31), field goal percentage (53.4) and free throws made (24). The 91-point night is tied for the eighth-most points scored in a single-game since Quinnipiac joined the NCAA Div. I ranks (1998-99) while it also marks the first time the Bobcats have gone over 90 points in a game this season as the previous season-high was in a 84-51 win at Saint Peter's (12/1). In the last four seasons (since 2013-14), Quinnipiac has scored 90+ points eight times, in the previous 15 seasons the Bobcats scored 90+ points just three times since joining Div. I.
I'LL TAKE A MCCLURE-Y WITH THAT
Finishing with her first double-double of the season at Rider (12/30), McClure stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points (5-11 FG) and 11 rebounds to go along with four assists and four steals in 27 minutes. McClure notched the first double-double for a Bobcat on the season and the fifth of her career. Eight of McClure's 14 points came in the fourth quarter including a pair of buckets early in the frame to fight off a pesky Rider squad threatening to reclaim the lead.
PLAY4KAY RECAP
Quinnipiac closed its run in the inaugural Play4Kay Shootout with a third place finish and 2-1 record playing against one of the most talented in-season tournament fields the Bobcats have ever seen. In a field that included two nationally-ranked teams (Oregon State, South Florida) as well as high-major Oklahoma State and several consistent mid-major powers (UNLV, New Mexico State, Long Beach State, Santa Clara), Quinnipiac managed two thrilling victories and a closely played loss to No. 25/15 Oregon State. The Bobcats began the tournament with a 49-46 victory over preseason WAC favorite New Mexico State. In the second round, Quinnipiac trailed the nationally-ranked Beavers by just six points at the start of the fourth quarter before ultimately falling, 75-60. The third place game was an epic back-and-forth duel as Quinnipiac pulled out the 63-60 victory over Long Beach State, an opponent who had defeated nationally-ranked South Florida in the first round. Adily Martucci earned All-Tournament honors after leading the Bobcats with 26 points across the three-game tournament.
THE RAREST OF FEATS
In a 49-46 win over New Mexico State to open the Play4Kay Shootout, Quinnipiac accomplished a feat seen before just once in the program's all-time history. Scoring just 49 points and defeating the Aggies by three, for just the second time in program history and first in the Div. I era (since 1998-99), the Bobcats won a game in which they scored less than 50 points. Incredibly, the Bobcats' last victory coming with less than 50 points scored came in the program's first-ever game, a 48-34 win over Hartford back on Jan. 27, 1975 (1,117 games ago).
IN THEIR DEFENSE
Quinnipiac's stellar defensive play carried the Bobcats in a 49-46 win over New Mexico State in the Play4Kay Shootout. The 46 points scored for the Aggies is the lowest total for a Bobcat opponent since allowing Fairfield to score 43 back on Jan. 15, 2015 (60 games ago). Turnovers loomed large as New Mexico State was forced into 28 while dishing out just four assists (0.14 assist/turnover ratio). New Mexico State came in leading the WAC in assist/turnover ratio (0.96) and hadn't coughed the ball up that many times since committing 31 turnovers on Nov. 19, 2015.
FORCING THE ISSUE
The Bobcat defense pitched a stellar defensive outing against Siena as the Saints were forced into 34 turnovers while Quinnipiac came up with 20 steals in the winning effort. The 34 forced turnovers for Quinnipiac are the second-most by a Bobcat opponent in a single-game in the Bobcats' Div. I program history (since 1998-99) – Quinnipiac forced Manhattan into 35 turnovers last season on Dec. 6, 2015.
WHAT A WIN!
Trailing 17 points with 14:30 remaining, the Bobcats gutted out the largest comeback in the program's Division I history as Quinnipiac came-from-behind to defeat fellow mid-major power Dayton, 63-60, in Ohio on Sunday, Nov. 13. The 17-point Quinnipiac comeback sets a new Div. I record, one better than a 16-point margin overcome in a 68-61 overtime win over Robert Morris back on Feb. 19, 2000.
TURNAROUND FOR THE AGES
Playing in front of a ravenous home fanbase of nearly 2,000 strong cheering for a Dayton team just two seasons removed from a run into the 2015 Elite Eight, the Bobcats were all but out of it trailing 46-29 with 4:30 left in the third quarter. After shooting a paltry 11-for-41 (26.8 percent) overall up to the 4:30 mark of the third quarter, Quinnipiac was nothing short of incredible for the final 14:30 of play. Led by the senior tandem of Morgan Manz and Adily Martucci, the Bobcats finished 13-of-26 (50 percent) in what amounted to a 20-point swing (34-14 run) to end the game.
RESUME BOOSTER
Quinnipiac opened 2016-17 with two of their most impressive wins in program history. Starting with a 66-56 win over perennial mid-major power Florida Gulf Coast, the Bobcats' 63-60 road win over Dayton comes against a Flyer team that had won six consecutive Atlantic-10 Championships from 2010-15. Between the Bobcats' first two opponents, Quinnipiac defeated a pair of teams that have combined for 453 wins (FGCU: 246-52; Dayton: 207-82), 50.3 wins per season (FGCU: 27.3; Dayton: 23), 77.1 winning percentage, 10 conference titles and five NCAA Tournament victories in the last nine seasons (since 2007-08).
MISSION COMPLETE
After a pair of thrilling meetings in the two seasons prior, the Bobcats finally broke through against Florida Gulf Coast as Quinnipiac dominated defensively in a 66-56 season-opening win at home over the fellow mid-major power. In a matchup pitting two programs ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll, then-No. 13 Quinnipiac put on a defensive clinic in holding then-No. 7 FGCU to just 20-of-61 shooting from the floor and 12 percent (3-25 3FG) from three. Quinnipiac's defensive outing from the three-point line is commendable considering FGCU ranked sixth in the nation with 9.3 made three-pointers per game in 2015-16.
THE 2015-16 REGULAR SEASON
Quinnipiac finished 22-7 overall and 17-3 in league play to earn the 2015-16 MAAC Regular Season Championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. Quinnipiac clinched its second straight MAAC Regular Season title with a win over Iona in a winner-take-all regular season finale. The regular season title was the Bobcats' third in the four years dating back to the 2012-13 campaign where Quinnipiac was crowned the NEC Regular Season Champions. The Bobcats became just the second MAAC team, joining Marist in 2004-05, to start their conference schedule with three losses and win the remainder of their games to take home the MAAC Regular Season title outright. Quinnipiac entered the MAAC Tournament winners of 17 straight games which was the sixth-longest streak in the nation.
HIGH-POWERED OFFENSIVE ATTACK
Quinnipiac's coaching staff has long preached an up-tempo offensive system and the stats certainly reflect its success as the Bobcats have led their respective conference in scoring offense and assists in four of the last five seasons. Starting in the final two years of the Northeast Conference, Quinnipiac averaged an NEC-leading 67.9 points per game in 2011-12 and 70.5 PPG in 2012-13. That success carried over since joining the MAAC as the Bobcats ranked second in the league at 73.4 PPG in 2013-14 before leading the way again in 2014-15 with a league-record 78.5 PPG as well as 67.5 PPG in 2015-16. Over the last five seasons, Quinnipiac's cumulative scoring average is 71.6 PPG while the team dishes out 16.6 assists per game across the 168-game span.
| Scoring Offense Last Five Seasons | ||||||
| Season | Games | W-L | Pts | PPG | Ast | APG |
| 2011-12 | 32 | 22-10 | 2173 | 67.9 | 470 | 14.7 |
| 2012-13 | 33 | 30-3 | 2327 | 70.5 | 557 | 16.9 |
| 2013-14 | 34 | 21-13 | 2494 | 73.4 | 554 | 16.3 |
| 2014-15 | 35 | 31-4 | 2749 | 78.5 | 685 | 19.6 |
| 2015-16 | 34 | 25-9 | 2294 | 67.4 | 523 | 15.4 |
| Total | 168 | 129-39 | 12,037 | 71.6 | 2789 | 16.6 |
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballCoaches Road Show at Bears BBQ
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Quinnipiac Athletics 2024-25 Highlight Video
Tuesday, May 20
2024 Women's Basketball Kids Day: Recap
Friday, December 20
The Roar - Episode 6: Jackie Grisdale and Grace LaBarge
Wednesday, December 18
