Thursday, January 5
Gallagher Center - Niagara Falls, NY
11:00 AM
Quinnipiac University
at
Niagara
QU Women's Basketball Opens Western New York Swing at Niagara on Thursday
1/3/2017 3:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcats 7-0 All-Time Against Niagara, Coming Off 82-47 Home Win over Saint Peter's
Quinnipiac Bobcats (11-3, 4-0 MAAC) at
Niagara Purple Eagles (4-9, 1-3 MAAC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 | 11:00 AM
Location: Gallagher 'Taps' Center | Niagara Univ., N.Y.
All-Time Series vs. Niagara: Quinnipiac leads 7-0
Last Meeting: W, 74-51 (March 4, 2016 at MAAC Quarterfinals)
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WESTERN NEW YORK SWING
After the lengthiest bus ride of the season up to Western New York, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team opens up a two-game weekend road set with Niagara on Thursday morning. The Bobcats (11-3, 4-0 MAAC) look to rise and shine against the Purple Eagles (4-9, 1-3 MAAC) on what is Niagara's "Kid's Day" Game designed to bring local school children to the Gallagher Center as a way of growing children's interest in going to college and within the sport of women's basketball. Winners of three straight overall and four in MAAC play, Quinnipiac looks to knock off a Niagara team that comes in struggling having lost five straight after starting the year 4-4.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
ALL-TIME AGAINST NIAGARA
BIG MOVERS IN THE MAAC
Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac has reeled off a record of 62-11 (.849) in all games against MAAC opponents and 55-9 (.859) 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 55-17 (.764) against conference foes over the last three seasons and stand 49-15 (.766) in regular season MAAC play.
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 56-7 (.889) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 31-3 (.912). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 16th-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.
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.
LEADER OF THE PACK
Aryn McClure's season high 15-point effort against Saint Peter's (1/2) marked her third straight double digit scoring game while she added four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in just 19 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 12 PPG (47.1 FG%), 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG and 2.8 SPG in 23.8 MPG through the last four games combined. Those totals either lead the team or rank second in all five statistical categories over the four-game span.
POINTS FOR HER ARE A SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan is beginning to find her niche on the offensive end as she has tallied a new season high in two of the last three games. Her recent uptick began with 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. Over the first 10 games of the season, Shewan averaged 4.4 points (26.2 FG%) per game but has since averaged 13.0 PPG (48.6 FG%) in the last four contests.
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci continues to produce in a breakout redshirt senior season as she came through with 15 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 3FG) in 15 minutes against Saint Peter's (1/2). Martucci's team-leading eighth 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 (45.9), three-point field goal percentage (40.4), free throw percentage (90.0), steals (1.6) and points (10.9). She is the lone Bobcat averaging double figures while her 45.9 FG% ranks 12th overall in the MAAC and fifth among guards.
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 63.6 percent (7-11 3FG) shooting from long range in the last four 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 seven over the last four games alone and had at least one make from three-point range in three straight prior to Saint Peter's (1/2).
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 (70.6) but are tied with Manhattan for the fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Adily Martucci is the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points.
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 12.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG and 2.8 SPG in 23.8 MPG over the last four contests. McClure's 15-point effort against Saint Peter's was her sixth double digit scoring output of the season and her third in the last four games. Even with the scoring trouble early in the season, McClure's all-around impact cannot be understated as she leads the team and ranks fourth in the MAAC in rebounding (7.4). She also ranks second on the team in assists (39) while she sits atop the team in steals (28) and blocks (22). 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 (4-8 FG, 4-5 FT) with a season high seven rebounds in a 63-60 victory over Long Beach State. This came just two 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 16-point effort marked her fourth 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 7-1 in games in which she hits double figures in scoring. Her scoring has also improved significantly this season as she has four 10+ point outings through 14 games in 2016-17 compared to just four double digit games through 53 contests in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
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 seven 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 7.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks in 23.4 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 (328), rebounds (104), steals (28) and blocks (22). She is coming off an outing against Saint Peter's where she filled up the box score with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 19 minutes.
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied a game high 12 points (5-9 FG) in a 82-47 win over Saint Peter's. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched six double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those six games, Fay is averaging 14.7 PPG while shooting a blistering 59.6 percent (34-57 FG) overall, 40.0 percent (10-25 3FG) from behind the arc and 90.9 percent (10-11 FT) from the charity stripe.
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.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 14 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 defense (59.7), scoring margin (+10.9), field goal percentage defense (36.5), three-point field goal percentage defense (26.6), blocked shots (4.6), assists (17.1), steals (12.4), turnover margin (+5.71) and assist/turnover ratio (1.04).
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 five 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). Her most-recent outing saw her play a season-best 26 minutes while contributing eight points (3-4 FG) and three steals against Saint Peter's (1/2). In the five games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 8.4 PPG (48.4 FG%, 87.5 FT%), 4.0 RPG and 2.2 SPG in 18.6 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 five 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, 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 17 total rebounds, 15 of which (88.2 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).
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. They now stand with a mark of 50-1 (.980) since the start of 2014-15 in games in which the Bobcats lead at the half.
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 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. Quinnipiac's 11-3 record (4-0 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 reenters the Top 5 for the fifth 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). A week after receiving the No. 6 ranking, the Bobcats' four-spot improvement signals the largest markup of any team in the Top 25 poll. Quinnipiac's 701 total points accumulated in the weekly vote is also a program record, easily eclipsing the previous high of 645 back on Nov. 25. After earning the No. 13 ranking in the preseason mid-major poll, Quinnipiac has earned a spot in the Top 10 through all eight weeks of the 2016-17 season.
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 +80 advantage (+5.7 per game; 26th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 231 times while forcing the opposition into 311 turnovers (22.2 per game) which ranks 16th in the nation. Just four of the Bobcats' 14 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 14 opponents 317-206 (+111) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 22.6 compared to 14.7 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 124-15 (.892) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 48-2 (.960) 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 7-0
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) 124-15 (.892)
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 14 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 75th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.04).
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 71.7 PPG while shooting 39.9 percent, dishing out 17.4 assists per game and totaling 13.3 steals per contest. Of the 10 consistent "Gold Rush" players, only one is averaging more than 22 MPG (Aryn McClure 22.8 MPG) while seven Bobcats are averaging at least 5.0 PPG. On the defensive end, Quinnipiac is holding opponents to just 60.0 PPG, 36.6 percent shooting, 28.0 percent from deep and just 131 assists to 269 turnovers for a miniscule 0.49 assist/turnover ratio.
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.
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.
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.
Niagara Purple Eagles (4-9, 1-3 MAAC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 | 11:00 AM
Location: Gallagher 'Taps' Center | Niagara Univ., N.Y.
All-Time Series vs. Niagara: Quinnipiac leads 7-0
Last Meeting: W, 74-51 (March 4, 2016 at MAAC Quarterfinals)
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WESTERN NEW YORK SWING
After the lengthiest bus ride of the season up to Western New York, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team opens up a two-game weekend road set with Niagara on Thursday morning. The Bobcats (11-3, 4-0 MAAC) look to rise and shine against the Purple Eagles (4-9, 1-3 MAAC) on what is Niagara's "Kid's Day" Game designed to bring local school children to the Gallagher Center as a way of growing children's interest in going to college and within the sport of women's basketball. Winners of three straight overall and four in MAAC play, Quinnipiac looks to knock off a Niagara team that comes in struggling having lost five straight after starting the year 4-4.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
- Niagara (4-9, 1-3 MAAC) returns six letter winners from last year's squad that went 8-23 overall and 5-15 in the MAAC
- The Purple Eagles defeated crosstown rival Canisius in the MAAC First Round, advancing to the Quarterfinal stage before being bounced by the top-seeded Bobcats
- Niagara returns senior guard Tiffany Corselli as well as star junior forward Victoria Rampado and rising junior Kaylee Stroemple
- Corselli is a dynamic two-way guard in the midst of a breakthrough offensive campaign that has her averaging 10.5 PPG shooting 30.9 percent from three while adding 39 assists and 21 steals (both totals lead the team)
- Rampado's return to the Niagara lineup changes everything for the Purple Eagles as the junior forward is one of the most gifted scorers in the MAAC
- After missing the entire 2015-16 season with a knee injury, Rampado has started all 13 games this season while averaging 16.4 PPG which ranks third in the league
- Rampado also contributes in the rebounding department as she comes in leading the conference grabbing 8.2 boards per game
- A gifted all-around scorer, Rampado has the size to bang on the interior but excels with a talented stroke from the outside as she prefers to attempt 12-18 foot jumpers and will mix in a three-point look (8-32 3FG in 2016-17)
- Rampado also comes in with the second-most assists (31) on the team and has posted all her impressive numbers despite struggling from the floor as she is shooting just 40.8 percent
- A player to watch on Niagara is Stroemple as the junior is a gifted offensive scorer averaging 11.3 PPG (second on the team) while shooting a team-leading 54.2 percent from the floor
- Stroemple adds 5.2 rebounds per game to give Niagara the highest-scoring forward duo in the league as the combination of Rampado and Stroemple average 27.7 PPG and 13.4 RPG as a pair
- Niagara has struggled finding any depth of scoring this season as Corselli, Rampado and Stroemple each come in averaging 10+ PPG but only five Purple Eagles average at least 5.0 PPG
- The Purple Eagles have also struggled mightily on the defensive end this season as opponents have combined to shoot 44.7 percent from the floor (last in the MAAC)
- Perhaps the greatest strength on the team is from the three-point line as the Purple Eagles come in with the best three-point percentage (35.5) of any team in the conference while averaging 6.3 makes from downtown per game
- Game-changing players are few and far between for Niagara as the Purple Eagles rank last in the MAAC in blocked shots (1.2) and 10th in steals (5.4)
ALL-TIME AGAINST NIAGARA
- Quinnipiac has never lost to the Purple Eagles in seven all-time meetings
- Sarah Shewan (14.3 PPG, 61.5 FG%, 4.0 RPG) dominated in three games against the Purple Eagles last season while Paula Strautmane (10.3 PPG, 48.1 FG%, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG) and Aryn McClure (10.3 PPG, 50.0 FG%, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 BPG) both averaged 10+ points per game against Niagara in 2015-16
- The matchup on the road at Niagara last season was back-and-forth throughout ending in just a seven-point win for the Bobcats, 61-54
- Niagara dressed just eight players in that game (only six of which had played considerable minutes prior to the meeting)
- Leading by 11 points with 3:15 remaining, Niagara went on a 7-0 run to cut into the Bobcats' lead and make it a close one down the stretch
- Quinnipiac bounced back with a strong showing at home against Niagara last season, defeating the Purple Eagles 70-52 behind Aryn McClure's 18 points and eight rebounds
- The 18-point win, however, didn't seem likely after Niagara pumped in 26 points in the first quarter
- In the MAAC Quarterfinals, Shewan put together a career high 24-point effort (10-13 FG) as the Bobcats dominated in the painted area (40-14) to run past Niagara, 74-51
BIG MOVERS IN THE MAAC
Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac has reeled off a record of 62-11 (.849) in all games against MAAC opponents and 55-9 (.859) 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 55-17 (.764) against conference foes over the last three seasons and stand 49-15 (.766) in regular season MAAC play.
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 56-7 (.889) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 31-3 (.912). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 16th-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.
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.
LEADER OF THE PACK
Aryn McClure's season high 15-point effort against Saint Peter's (1/2) marked her third straight double digit scoring game while she added four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in just 19 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 12 PPG (47.1 FG%), 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG and 2.8 SPG in 23.8 MPG through the last four games combined. Those totals either lead the team or rank second in all five statistical categories over the four-game span.
POINTS FOR HER ARE A SHEWAN
Sarah Shewan is beginning to find her niche on the offensive end as she has tallied a new season high in two of the last three games. Her recent uptick began with 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. Over the first 10 games of the season, Shewan averaged 4.4 points (26.2 FG%) per game but has since averaged 13.0 PPG (48.6 FG%) in the last four contests.
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci continues to produce in a breakout redshirt senior season as she came through with 15 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 3FG) in 15 minutes against Saint Peter's (1/2). Martucci's team-leading eighth 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 (45.9), three-point field goal percentage (40.4), free throw percentage (90.0), steals (1.6) and points (10.9). She is the lone Bobcat averaging double figures while her 45.9 FG% ranks 12th overall in the MAAC and fifth among guards.
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 63.6 percent (7-11 3FG) shooting from long range in the last four 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 seven over the last four games alone and had at least one make from three-point range in three straight prior to Saint Peter's (1/2).
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 (70.6) but are tied with Manhattan for the fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Adily Martucci is the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points.
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 12.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG and 2.8 SPG in 23.8 MPG over the last four contests. McClure's 15-point effort against Saint Peter's was her sixth double digit scoring output of the season and her third in the last four games. Even with the scoring trouble early in the season, McClure's all-around impact cannot be understated as she leads the team and ranks fourth in the MAAC in rebounding (7.4). She also ranks second on the team in assists (39) while she sits atop the team in steals (28) and blocks (22). 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 (4-8 FG, 4-5 FT) with a season high seven rebounds in a 63-60 victory over Long Beach State. This came just two 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 16-point effort marked her fourth 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 7-1 in games in which she hits double figures in scoring. Her scoring has also improved significantly this season as she has four 10+ point outings through 14 games in 2016-17 compared to just four double digit games through 53 contests in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
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 seven 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 7.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks in 23.4 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 (328), rebounds (104), steals (28) and blocks (22). She is coming off an outing against Saint Peter's where she filled up the box score with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 19 minutes.
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied a game high 12 points (5-9 FG) in a 82-47 win over Saint Peter's. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched six double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those six games, Fay is averaging 14.7 PPG while shooting a blistering 59.6 percent (34-57 FG) overall, 40.0 percent (10-25 3FG) from behind the arc and 90.9 percent (10-11 FT) from the charity stripe.
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.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 14 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 defense (59.7), scoring margin (+10.9), field goal percentage defense (36.5), three-point field goal percentage defense (26.6), blocked shots (4.6), assists (17.1), steals (12.4), turnover margin (+5.71) and assist/turnover ratio (1.04).
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 five 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). Her most-recent outing saw her play a season-best 26 minutes while contributing eight points (3-4 FG) and three steals against Saint Peter's (1/2). In the five games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 8.4 PPG (48.4 FG%, 87.5 FT%), 4.0 RPG and 2.2 SPG in 18.6 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 five 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, 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 17 total rebounds, 15 of which (88.2 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).
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. They now stand with a mark of 50-1 (.980) since the start of 2014-15 in games in which the Bobcats lead at the half.
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 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. Quinnipiac's 11-3 record (4-0 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 reenters the Top 5 for the fifth 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). A week after receiving the No. 6 ranking, the Bobcats' four-spot improvement signals the largest markup of any team in the Top 25 poll. Quinnipiac's 701 total points accumulated in the weekly vote is also a program record, easily eclipsing the previous high of 645 back on Nov. 25. After earning the No. 13 ranking in the preseason mid-major poll, Quinnipiac has earned a spot in the Top 10 through all eight weeks of the 2016-17 season.
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 +80 advantage (+5.7 per game; 26th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 231 times while forcing the opposition into 311 turnovers (22.2 per game) which ranks 16th in the nation. Just four of the Bobcats' 14 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 14 opponents 317-206 (+111) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 22.6 compared to 14.7 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 124-15 (.892) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 48-2 (.960) 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 7-0
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) 124-15 (.892)
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 14 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 75th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.04).
| 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 | 14 | 11-3 | 240 | 17.1 | 231 | 16.5 | 1.04 | 75th | 1st (MAAC) |
| Total | 150 | 118-32 | 2559 | 17.1 | 2126 | 14.2 | 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 71.7 PPG while shooting 39.9 percent, dishing out 17.4 assists per game and totaling 13.3 steals per contest. Of the 10 consistent "Gold Rush" players, only one is averaging more than 22 MPG (Aryn McClure 22.8 MPG) while seven Bobcats are averaging at least 5.0 PPG. On the defensive end, Quinnipiac is holding opponents to just 60.0 PPG, 36.6 percent shooting, 28.0 percent from deep and just 131 assists to 269 turnovers for a miniscule 0.49 assist/turnover ratio.
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.
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.
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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Thursday, September 04
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
