Spotlight Showdown Friday Night as QU Women's Basketball Hosts Iona on ESPNU
2/15/2017 2:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcats Broadcasting Home Game Live on ESPNU for Second Time in Program History
Quinnipiac Bobcats (20-6, 13-3 MAAC) vs.
Iona Gaels (15-10, 10-6 MAAC)
Date: Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 | 5:00 PM
Location: TD Bank Sports Center | Hamden, Conn.
All-Time Series vs. Iona: Series tied 5-5
Last Meeting: L, 58-44 (January 28, 2017 at IONA)
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PINK OUT THE BANK
The Quinnipiac women's basketball team will host their annual breast cancer awareness game as "Pink Out the Bank" on Friday night as the Bobcats take on Iona at 5 PM. Quinnipiac is set to participate in the NCAA-wide Play 4 Kay initiative that calls on women's basketball programs across the nation to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Fans can learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer fund by clicking on the link above. Last week, head coach Tricia Fabbri announced she'll be donating one dollar for every ticket sold to the Bobcats' MAAC game against Iona. Prior to the start of play, breast cancer survivors in-attendance will participate in a ceremonial jump ball and will join team members during the national anthem and starting lineups. In addition, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pink Quinnipiac headband.
HERE. WE. GO!
Winners of three straight games, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team looks to make it four in a row as they get set to take on MAAC rival Iona on Friday night from the TD Bank Sports Center. Iona comes in having suffered through a bit of lackluster play, dropping two straight games to Rider (52-36) at home and Monmouth (75-65) on the road but the Gaels have already defeated the Bobcats in a lockdown defensive performance, 58-44, in New Rochelle back in late January. In a game that can be seen live on ESPNU, Quinnipiac is set to have a home game broadcasted on ESPNU for just the second time in program history.
SCOUTING THE GAELS
ALL-TIME AGAINST IONA
McCLURE'S MOMENT
A key lynchpin in two dominating wins over Marist (79-57) and Siena (76-60), Aryn McClure picked up her second MAAC Player of the Week honor of the season on Monday. The sophomore dominated early and often, notching consecutive season high point totals as she scored 16 against Marist and went for 21 in the win over Siena. Averaging 18.5 points over the 2-0 week, McClure was efficient from the floor going 16-for-33 (48.5 percent) overall while hitting on the first three-pointer of her career (missed first 22 career attempts). Her primetime performance came in the win over Siena as she tallied 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter as she scored 13 of the Bobcats' 16 points in a span of 6:33 in the final quarter.
HITTING THAT MAGIC NUMBER
Quinnipiac's 76-60 win over Siena (2/12) clinched yet another 20-win campaign for Head Coach Tricia Fabbri. The 11th 20-win season in program history made it six in-a-row as well as the eighth in Fabbri's 22-year coaching career at Quinnipiac. Currently, Quinnipiac is one of just 15 teams across the nation and one of just four mid-major programs. Over the last six seasons, Quinnipiac stands with a record of 149-45 for a 76.8 win percentage which ranks as the 16th-best overall mark in the nation.
THREE-FOR-ALL
Quinnipiac has broken out of the two-game losing streak and turned into a simply dominant team in the recent three-game win streak. In that span, Quinnipiac scrapped the five-in, five-out "Gold Rush" subbing pattern and is now averaging 76.3 PPG (42.9 FG%) while outscoring the opposition by an average margin of +19.3. The most noteworthy stat in that span is from the three-point line as the Bobcats are hitting 42.5 percent (34-80 3FG) from behind the arc during the win streak after shooting a MAAC-low 27.9 percent (144-517 3FG) from three in the first 23 games of the season. Aryn McClure has taken over in the streak as well, averaging a team-leading 14.7 PPG while Jen Fay and Adily Martucci are both averaging 12.0 PPG.
RPI REPORT
Through 26 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 46 in the most-recent report. Out of the 45 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 37 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. 116 while Iona is third at No. 160 (349 teams ranked).
SHAKING OFF THE STREAK
Quinnipiac broke through a two-game losing streak, defeating Monmouth at home, 74-54, on Saturday. Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac is unaccustomed to losing streaks as the Bobcats have experienced a losing streak of two or more games just three times now in the last four seasons (76 MAAC games). Quinnipiac went undefeated (20-0) in 2014-15 and also ripped off a 17-game MAAC winning streak in 2015-16 (both of which ended with MAAC Regular Season titles). During 2013-14, Quinnipiac did suffer back-to-back losses to Fairfield and Iona but that and the three-game losing streak from last season are the only two spans (other than the two-game skid from this season) in which the Bobcats have lost two straight in MAAC play.
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 71-14 (.835) in all games against MAAC opponents and 64-12 (.842) in regular season MAAC games, both records that currently lead all teams in the conference. The Bobcats rank well ahead of Iona who sits with the second-best mark of 60-22 (.732) in games against conference foes over the last four seasons and stand 56-20 (.737) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 26 games this season, Quinnipiac holds the lead in nine different statistical categories while the Bobcats are ranked no worse than third out of 11 MAAC teams in 16 out of 21 major team statistics. Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in scoring offense (68.8), scoring defense (57.7), scoring margin (+11.1), field goal percentage defense (36.3), blocked shots (4.8), assists (16.8), steals (11.9), turnover margin (+6.38) and assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
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 62-7 (.899) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 37-3 (.925). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 12th-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.
GOTTA LOVE THAT HOME COOKIN
Quinnipiac's extended home dominance is particularly impressive when looking at games against MAAC opponents as the Bobcats stand with a mark of 34-4 (.895) at home in league games since joining the conference in 2013-14. That prominence is only magnified when looking at the last three seasons as the Bobcats are 27-1 (.964) at the TD Bank Sports Center in conference games since 2014-15 and are currently riding a 17-game unbeaten streak in home games against MAAC foes.
THE ULTIMATE CLOSERS
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 16-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 61-2 (.968) 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 +166 advantage (+6.38 per game; 14th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 395 times while forcing the opposition into 561 turnovers (21.6 per game) which ranks 13th in the nation. Just eight of the Bobcats' 26 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 26 opponents 527-335 (+192) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 20.3 compared to 12.9 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 130-15 (.897) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 54-2 (.964) 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 13-0
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) 130-15 (.896)
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 26 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 49th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
WAR OF ATTRITION
Quinnipiac has outscored the opposition 1788-1499 (+289, +11.1 per game) this season but a closer look at the box scores will show the Bobcats' depth has played a large role in the points discrepancy. The Bobcats have outscored opponents combined through 26 games in every quarter but in the second (423-315, +108), third (480-389, +91) and fourth (485-412, +73) quarters are where the advantages really jump out compared to the first stanza (400-383, +17). Leaning on 10+ players per game and a frenetic offensive pace helps lead to the massive advantages in the second stage of each half.
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 nine different players post a single-game team-leading scoring total on the season, easily the most in the conference. Another key note is the Bobcats lead the MAAC in scoring offense (68.8) and have the fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.5) is the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points. Saint Peter's is the only other team in the MAAC to have a just one player averaging 10+ PPG.
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 (10.5 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 11.6 points in just 20.9 minutes per contest through 16 conference games. Fay is shooting 47.4 percent (65-137 FG) overall and 37.9 percent (22-58 3FG) from three while adding 1.6 steals per game. She has posted 11 double digit outings in 16 league games and has scored less than seven points in all but one 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 9.7 points (42.9 FG%), 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks in just 19.4 minutes over 16 league games. Her production in the conference has been a big key to success as she has compiled nine of her 12 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 3.0 fouls per game in 16 conference games.
PAULA = PIVITAL PLAYER
The play of Paula Strautmane has been one of the biggest indicators to the Bobcats' team success this season. In the 20 games the Bobcats have won this season, Strautmane averages 10.0 PPG (46.3 FG%, 75.0 FT%), 5.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.7 BPG in 19.5 MPG. Compare those stats to Strautmane's averages in the six Bobcat losses, 3.8 PPG (18.4 FG%, 66.7 FT%), 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.7 SPG and 0.3 BPG, and the difference is clear. Strautmane is second behind Jen Fay for the team-lead with 13 double digit scoring outputs this season and the Bobcats own a mark of 12-1 (.923) in those 13 contests.
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 broke through with 14 points as she finished 5-of-11 overall and 4-of-10 from three while adding four rebounds and two steals in a home win over Marist (2/9). Martucci broke recently snapped five-game streak in which she failed to reach double figures with her second straight 10+ point game. Martucci's 12th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs in scoring (9.7 PPG), free throw percentage (88.2) and steals (1.7).
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 5.6 PPG on a much-improved 40.0 percent (18-45 3FG) shooting from long range in the last 16 games. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made 18 over the last 16 games alone.
ALL-AROUND ARYN
Aryn McClure's all-around play has been one of the keys behind the Bobcats' success as she comes in with averages of 7.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.5 BPG. The 2015-16 MAAC Rookie of the Year is having another solid season in multiple statistical categories as she leads the Bobcats in rebounds (162), assists (73), blocks (38) and minutes (618). Of all the players in the MAAC, McClure is the only one leading her respective team in all four aforementioned categories.
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.
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3FG) in a 79-57 win over Marist. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched a team-leading 14 double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those 14 games, Fay is averaging 14.1 PPG while shooting a blistering 52.9 percent (72-136 FG) overall, 38.3 percent (23-60 3FG) from behind the arc and 85.7 percent (30-35 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 10 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 12 points and four rebounds against Rider. In the 10 games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 7.0 PPG (41.3 FG%, 90.0 FT%), 3.0 RPG and 1.2 SPG in 16.4 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.
Iona Gaels (15-10, 10-6 MAAC)
Date: Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 | 5:00 PM
Location: TD Bank Sports Center | Hamden, Conn.
All-Time Series vs. Iona: Series tied 5-5
Last Meeting: L, 58-44 (January 28, 2017 at IONA)
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PINK OUT THE BANK
The Quinnipiac women's basketball team will host their annual breast cancer awareness game as "Pink Out the Bank" on Friday night as the Bobcats take on Iona at 5 PM. Quinnipiac is set to participate in the NCAA-wide Play 4 Kay initiative that calls on women's basketball programs across the nation to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Fans can learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer fund by clicking on the link above. Last week, head coach Tricia Fabbri announced she'll be donating one dollar for every ticket sold to the Bobcats' MAAC game against Iona. Prior to the start of play, breast cancer survivors in-attendance will participate in a ceremonial jump ball and will join team members during the national anthem and starting lineups. In addition, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pink Quinnipiac headband.
HERE. WE. GO!
Winners of three straight games, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team looks to make it four in a row as they get set to take on MAAC rival Iona on Friday night from the TD Bank Sports Center. Iona comes in having suffered through a bit of lackluster play, dropping two straight games to Rider (52-36) at home and Monmouth (75-65) on the road but the Gaels have already defeated the Bobcats in a lockdown defensive performance, 58-44, in New Rochelle back in late January. In a game that can be seen live on ESPNU, Quinnipiac is set to have a home game broadcasted on ESPNU for just the second time in program history.
SCOUTING THE GAELS
- Iona (15-10, 10-6 MAAC) has experienced a season full of ups and downs thus far and are coming in having put together a pair of disappointing results in losses to Rider and Monmouth
- Prior to the two-game losing streak, however, Iona rattled off a season high six-game win streak that included home wins over Quinnipiac and Monmouth as well as a road win over Marist
- A lockdown defensive team, Iona owns the second-best scoring defense in the MAAC (58.4 points allowed per game) and will be put to the test against the MAAC's best scoring offense in Quinnipiac (68.8 PPG)
- Despite the few amount of points allowed per game, Iona's field goal percentage defense (39.5) only ranks sixth in the conference as the Gaels' halfcourt offense and slow pace allows fewer possessions for the opposition
- The three-point shot has been a huge factor towards the team's success as the Gaels shoot the three-ball at a 32.2 percent clip which ranks second-best in the MAAC
- Iona traditionally relies on star power to generate their offense and this season is no different as the Gaels possess two of the most talented players in the league in Alexis Lewis and Marina Lizarazu
- Gone are the MAAC's all-time leading scorer Damika Martinez and all-time leading rebounder Joy Adams but Iona's backcourt of Lewis and Lizarazu is arguably the best in the league
- Lewis has taken flight in her sophomore season as she comes in ranking third in the MAAC in scoring (16.2 PPG) and fourth in rebounding (7.9 RPG) while also putting up solid all-around numbers in free throw percentage (74.3), steals (1.8), three-point percentage (39.3), three-point field goals made per game (2.3), offensive rebounds (3.3), defensive rebounds (4.6) and minutes played (34.3)
- Lewis torched the Bobcats in the first meeting this season as she was the best player on the floor, finishing with 22 points (8-13 FG, 4-4 3FG) and 15 rebounds despite fouling out after 31 minutes of action
- Teaming up with Lewis in the backcourt is the 2016 MAAC Tournament MVP in senior point guard Marina Lizarazu who has followed up with another stellar season averaging 14.5 points (7th MAAC) while ranking second in the MAAC with 3.7 assists per game
- Arguably the most talented player in the league, Lizarazu possesses elite ball-handling skills while she's a pesky defender averaging 2.5 steals per game (4th MAAC)
- Even with those impressive numbers, Lizarazu's senior season has been a little spotty as the senior came off the bench for four straight games before being inserted back into the starting lineup against Manhattan
- She is also well off her assists rate (88 assists in 24 games) from her previous two seasons wherein she finished with two seasons of 170+ assists
- Karynda DuPree is the main option in the low post for the Gaels as she is putting together a solid senior campaign averaging 10.4 points (47.5 FG%) with 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game
ALL-TIME AGAINST IONA
- Quinnipiac and the Gaels are all tied in the series history with a 5-5 record
- Quinnipiac swept the regular season series in back-to-back seasons (2014-15, 2015-16) after being swept in the regular season in the Bobcats' first season in the MAAC (2013-14)
- The Bobcats won five straight games against the Gaels leading up to the 2016 MAAC Championship before Iona dispatched Quinnipiac with a 57-41 victory
- Since winning five in a row, Quinnipiac has lost two straight to the Gaels after falling 58-44 earlier this season on the road
McCLURE'S MOMENT
A key lynchpin in two dominating wins over Marist (79-57) and Siena (76-60), Aryn McClure picked up her second MAAC Player of the Week honor of the season on Monday. The sophomore dominated early and often, notching consecutive season high point totals as she scored 16 against Marist and went for 21 in the win over Siena. Averaging 18.5 points over the 2-0 week, McClure was efficient from the floor going 16-for-33 (48.5 percent) overall while hitting on the first three-pointer of her career (missed first 22 career attempts). Her primetime performance came in the win over Siena as she tallied 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter as she scored 13 of the Bobcats' 16 points in a span of 6:33 in the final quarter.
HITTING THAT MAGIC NUMBER
Quinnipiac's 76-60 win over Siena (2/12) clinched yet another 20-win campaign for Head Coach Tricia Fabbri. The 11th 20-win season in program history made it six in-a-row as well as the eighth in Fabbri's 22-year coaching career at Quinnipiac. Currently, Quinnipiac is one of just 15 teams across the nation and one of just four mid-major programs. Over the last six seasons, Quinnipiac stands with a record of 149-45 for a 76.8 win percentage which ranks as the 16th-best overall mark in the nation.
THREE-FOR-ALL
Quinnipiac has broken out of the two-game losing streak and turned into a simply dominant team in the recent three-game win streak. In that span, Quinnipiac scrapped the five-in, five-out "Gold Rush" subbing pattern and is now averaging 76.3 PPG (42.9 FG%) while outscoring the opposition by an average margin of +19.3. The most noteworthy stat in that span is from the three-point line as the Bobcats are hitting 42.5 percent (34-80 3FG) from behind the arc during the win streak after shooting a MAAC-low 27.9 percent (144-517 3FG) from three in the first 23 games of the season. Aryn McClure has taken over in the streak as well, averaging a team-leading 14.7 PPG while Jen Fay and Adily Martucci are both averaging 12.0 PPG.
RPI REPORT
Through 26 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 46 in the most-recent report. Out of the 45 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 37 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. 116 while Iona is third at No. 160 (349 teams ranked).
SHAKING OFF THE STREAK
Quinnipiac broke through a two-game losing streak, defeating Monmouth at home, 74-54, on Saturday. Since joining the MAAC in 2013-14, Quinnipiac is unaccustomed to losing streaks as the Bobcats have experienced a losing streak of two or more games just three times now in the last four seasons (76 MAAC games). Quinnipiac went undefeated (20-0) in 2014-15 and also ripped off a 17-game MAAC winning streak in 2015-16 (both of which ended with MAAC Regular Season titles). During 2013-14, Quinnipiac did suffer back-to-back losses to Fairfield and Iona but that and the three-game losing streak from last season are the only two spans (other than the two-game skid from this season) in which the Bobcats have lost two straight in MAAC play.
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 71-14 (.835) in all games against MAAC opponents and 64-12 (.842) in regular season MAAC games, both records that currently lead all teams in the conference. The Bobcats rank well ahead of Iona who sits with the second-best mark of 60-22 (.732) in games against conference foes over the last four seasons and stand 56-20 (.737) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 26 games this season, Quinnipiac holds the lead in nine different statistical categories while the Bobcats are ranked no worse than third out of 11 MAAC teams in 16 out of 21 major team statistics. Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in scoring offense (68.8), scoring defense (57.7), scoring margin (+11.1), field goal percentage defense (36.3), blocked shots (4.8), assists (16.8), steals (11.9), turnover margin (+6.38) and assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
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 62-7 (.899) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 37-3 (.925). That mark easily ranks as the best in the MAAC while it also places them with the 12th-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.
GOTTA LOVE THAT HOME COOKIN
Quinnipiac's extended home dominance is particularly impressive when looking at games against MAAC opponents as the Bobcats stand with a mark of 34-4 (.895) at home in league games since joining the conference in 2013-14. That prominence is only magnified when looking at the last three seasons as the Bobcats are 27-1 (.964) at the TD Bank Sports Center in conference games since 2014-15 and are currently riding a 17-game unbeaten streak in home games against MAAC foes.
THE ULTIMATE CLOSERS
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 16-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 61-2 (.968) 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 +166 advantage (+6.38 per game; 14th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 395 times while forcing the opposition into 561 turnovers (21.6 per game) which ranks 13th in the nation. Just eight of the Bobcats' 26 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 26 opponents 527-335 (+192) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 20.3 compared to 12.9 for the opposition.
THAT 70+ SHOW
Since the 2007-08 season, Quinnipiac is 130-15 (.897) in games wherein the Bobcats score 70 or more points, including a 13-1 mark in 2015-16 and 54-2 (.964) 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 13-0
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) 130-15 (.896)
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 26 games in 2016-17, the pattern is already showing through as the Bobcats lead the MAAC and rank 49th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
| 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 | 26 | 20-6 | 437 | 16.8 | 395 | 15.2 | 1.11 | 49th | 1st (MAAC) |
| Total | 162 | 127-35 | 2756 | 17.0 | 2290 | 14.1 | 1.20 | ||
WAR OF ATTRITION
Quinnipiac has outscored the opposition 1788-1499 (+289, +11.1 per game) this season but a closer look at the box scores will show the Bobcats' depth has played a large role in the points discrepancy. The Bobcats have outscored opponents combined through 26 games in every quarter but in the second (423-315, +108), third (480-389, +91) and fourth (485-412, +73) quarters are where the advantages really jump out compared to the first stanza (400-383, +17). Leaning on 10+ players per game and a frenetic offensive pace helps lead to the massive advantages in the second stage of each half.
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 nine different players post a single-game team-leading scoring total on the season, easily the most in the conference. Another key note is the Bobcats lead the MAAC in scoring offense (68.8) and have the fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.5) is the lone Quinnipiac player averaging double figures in points. Saint Peter's is the only other team in the MAAC to have a just one player averaging 10+ PPG.
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 (10.5 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 11.6 points in just 20.9 minutes per contest through 16 conference games. Fay is shooting 47.4 percent (65-137 FG) overall and 37.9 percent (22-58 3FG) from three while adding 1.6 steals per game. She has posted 11 double digit outings in 16 league games and has scored less than seven points in all but one 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 9.7 points (42.9 FG%), 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks in just 19.4 minutes over 16 league games. Her production in the conference has been a big key to success as she has compiled nine of her 12 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 3.0 fouls per game in 16 conference games.
PAULA = PIVITAL PLAYER
The play of Paula Strautmane has been one of the biggest indicators to the Bobcats' team success this season. In the 20 games the Bobcats have won this season, Strautmane averages 10.0 PPG (46.3 FG%, 75.0 FT%), 5.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.7 BPG in 19.5 MPG. Compare those stats to Strautmane's averages in the six Bobcat losses, 3.8 PPG (18.4 FG%, 66.7 FT%), 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.7 SPG and 0.3 BPG, and the difference is clear. Strautmane is second behind Jen Fay for the team-lead with 13 double digit scoring outputs this season and the Bobcats own a mark of 12-1 (.923) in those 13 contests.
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 broke through with 14 points as she finished 5-of-11 overall and 4-of-10 from three while adding four rebounds and two steals in a home win over Marist (2/9). Martucci broke recently snapped five-game streak in which she failed to reach double figures with her second straight 10+ point game. Martucci's 12th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs in scoring (9.7 PPG), free throw percentage (88.2) and steals (1.7).
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 5.6 PPG on a much-improved 40.0 percent (18-45 3FG) shooting from long range in the last 16 games. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made 18 over the last 16 games alone.
ALL-AROUND ARYN
Aryn McClure's all-around play has been one of the keys behind the Bobcats' success as she comes in with averages of 7.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.5 BPG. The 2015-16 MAAC Rookie of the Year is having another solid season in multiple statistical categories as she leads the Bobcats in rebounds (162), assists (73), blocks (38) and minutes (618). Of all the players in the MAAC, McClure is the only one leading her respective team in all four aforementioned categories.
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.
SHE GOT GAME
Jen Fay continues to dominate on the offensive end for the Bobcats as she tallied 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3FG) in a 79-57 win over Marist. After scoring 10+ points just once in her freshman season, Fay has notched a team-leading 14 double digit outings for the Bobcats. In those 14 games, Fay is averaging 14.1 PPG while shooting a blistering 52.9 percent (72-136 FG) overall, 38.3 percent (23-60 3FG) from behind the arc and 85.7 percent (30-35 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 10 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 12 points and four rebounds against Rider. In the 10 games where Udoji has played at least 10 minutes the rookie is averaging 7.0 PPG (41.3 FG%, 90.0 FT%), 3.0 RPG and 1.2 SPG in 16.4 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.
Players Mentioned
MAAC Women's Basketball Championship - Hype Video
Monday, March 09
Quinnipiac Women’s Basketball MAAC Tournament Hype Video
Thursday, March 05
Interview With Jackie Grisdale: Scoring 1,000 Points
Sunday, December 28
2025 MAAC Basketball Tip-Off Event - ESPN+ Show
Tuesday, September 30

















































