QU Women's Basketball Begins Final Week of Regular Season at Marist on Thursday (ESPN3)
2/22/2017 1:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcats Come in Winners of Five Straight, Defeated Marist 79-57 at Home on Feb. 9
Quinnipiac Bobcats (22-6, 15-3 MAAC) vs.
Marist Red Foxes (13-15, 10-8 MAAC)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 | 5:30 PM
Location: McCann Field House | Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
All-Time Series vs. Marist: Quinnipiac leads 6-4
Last Meeting: W, 79-57 (February 9, 2017 at QU)
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HERE. WE. GO!
Locking in a back-and-forth battle for the top seed in the MAAC Tournament with counterpart Rider, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team knows how crucial every game is down the stretch heading into the final week of the 2016-17 regular season. Armed with the same conference record as the Broncs (15-3), Quinnipiac needs every win to keep pace as the Bobcats own the tiebreaker via a season series sweep of Rider and will earn the No. 1 seed with victories in their final two games against Marist and Canisius. Winners of five straight, the Bobcats head into a crucial road MAAC matchup against conference rival Marist on Thursday night at 5:30 PM in a game that can be seen live on ESPN3.
SCOUTING THE RED FOXES
ALL-TIME AGAINST MARIST
MASTERING MARIST
Quinnipiac's 79-57 home win over Marist on Thursday was significant on many levels but the most noteworthy trend from the 22-point home win was the Bobcats handed the Red Foxes their most lopsided loss to a MAAC opponent in over 13 seasons. The last time traditional MAAC power Marist lost to a MAAC foe by more than 22 points came back on February 14, 2003 in a 90-56 road loss to Niagara (291 games ago).
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Quinnipiac has guaranteed themselves at least a first round bye and 1-2 seed in the upcoming 2017 MAAC Tournament held at the Times Union Center in Albany. The Bobcats currently own the same conference record as Rider at 15-3 but still control their destiny as two wins in the final two games of the regular season would seal the top seed and at least a share of the MAAC Regular Season title (would be the Bobcats' third straight regular season championship). Quinnipiac swept the Broncs in their regular season series and thus own the tiebreaker if the two teams were to finish with the same record. Quinnipiac has two games remaining at Marist (Thursday) and home against Canisius (Saturday) while Rider takes on Niagara at home (Friday) and Fairfield on the road (Sunday).
PRETTY NOTEWORTHY DEFENSE
Quinnipiac's defense has led the MAAC all season as the Bobcats are currently allowing 56.9 points per game (31st-best mark in the nation). If that average were to stand through the end of the season, that would signal a new program record for fewest points allowed per game in a single-season. Quinnipiac has allowed fewer than 60 points per game just three times in Div. I history (2015-16 – 58.7, 2012-13 – 57.4, 2007-08 – 58.7). In MAAC-only games, Quinnipiac is allowing a miniscule 54.5 PPG while opponents are shooting just 35.9 percent from the floor in conference play, both standards that currently lead the MAAC. For the season, Quinnipiac is allowing opponents to shoot 36.0 percent (26th-best in the nation) while also ranking fifth in the nation in steals per game (11.9). Allowing 0.762 points per possession (best in the MAAC), Quinnipiac has allowed over 70 points to a MAAC opponent just once in 18 conference games.
FIVE-FOR-ALL
Quinnipiac has broken out of the two-game losing streak and turned into a simply dominant team in the recent five-game win streak. In that span, Quinnipiac scrapped the five-in, five-out "Gold Rush" subbing pattern and is now averaging 70.2 PPG (42.5 FG%) while outscoring the opposition by an average margin of +17.2. The most noteworthy stat in that span is from the three-point line as the Bobcats are hitting 38.3 percent (41-107 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 13.4 PPG while Adily Martucci comes in with 13.0 PPG during the stretch.
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 17 teams across the nation and one of just four mid-major programs. Over the last six seasons, Quinnipiac stands with a record of 151-45 for a .770 win percentage which ranks as the 16th-best overall mark in the nation.
RPI REPORT
Through 28 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 43 in the most-recent report. Out of the 42 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 36 of those are high-major programs as the Bobcats are seventh-highest among mid-majors. Quinnipiac also owns easily the highest RPI among MAAC teams as the next-closest squad Rider comes in ranked No. 109 while Iona is third at No. 143 (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 (78 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 73-14 (.839) in all games against MAAC opponents and 66-12 (.846) 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 61-23 (.726) in games against conference foes over the last four seasons and stand 57-21 (.731) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 28 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 (68.2), scoring defense (56.9), scoring margin (+11.3), field goal percentage defense (36.0), blocked shots (4.9), assists (16.6), steals (11.9), turnover margin (+6.36) 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 63-7 (.900) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 38-3 (.927). 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 35-4 (.897) 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 28-1 (.966) at the TD Bank Sports Center in conference games since 2014-15 and are currently riding a 18-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. Overall, however, the Bobcats are 17-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 62-2 (.969) 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 +178 advantage (+6.36 per game; 15th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 418 times while forcing the opposition into 596 turnovers (21.3 per game) which ranks 12th in the nation. Just 10 of the Bobcats' 28 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 28 opponents 557-360 (+197) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 19.9 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 28 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 1910-1593 (+317, +11.3 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 27 games in every quarter but in the second (449-332, +117), third (515-419, +96) and fourth (521-438, +83) quarters are where the advantages really jump out compared to the first stanza (425-404, +21). 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 (68.2) and have the second-fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.3) and Adily Martucci (10.0) are the lone Quinnipiac players averaging double figures in points. Saint Peter's is the only 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 (10.3 PPG). Credit Fay's production since the start of MAAC play as a leading indication to her spike in scoring as she leads the team averaging 11.1 points in 20.6 minutes per contest through 18 conference games. Fay is shooting 48.0 percent (71-148 FG) overall and 36.7 percent (22-60 3FG) from three. She has posted 11 double digit outings in 18 league games and has scored at least 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 9.4 points (40.8 FG%), 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks in 19.8 minutes over 18 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 2.9 fouls per game in 18 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 22 games the Bobcats have won this season, Strautmane averages 9.8 PPG (44.2 FG%, 75.0 FT%), 5.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.9 SPG and 1.6 BPG in 19.9 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 third behind Jen Fay and Adily Martucci 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 across the Bobcats' five-game win streak as she is posting 9.8 PPG while shooting a team-leading 51.4 percent (18-35 FG) from the floor, 41.7 percent (5-12 3FG) from three and 88.9 percent (8-9 FT) from the free throw line while adding 4.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game. Within the five-game win streak, Shewan has tallied three of her seven double digit scoring games on the season while her field goal percentage has improved drastically from where it stood through the first 23 games of the season (32.1 FG%, 50-156 FG).
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci broke through with one of her best games of the season, scoring a game high 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding two assists, two steals and two blocks in a road win over Manhattan (2/19). Martucci has been a key player in the recent five-game win streak as she is averaging 13.0 PPG while reaching the 10-point plateau four times in the stretch. Martucci's team-leading 14th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs in scoring (10.0 PPG), field goal percentage (40.1), free throw percentage (88.9) and steals (1.7).
FABBRI FINDING HER WAY
Coming off a breakout 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 5.4 PPG on a much-improved 38.8 percent (19-49 3FG) shooting from long range in the last 18 games. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made 19 over the last 18 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 8.1 PPG, 6.0 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 (168), assists (79) and blocks (41). Of all the players in the MAAC, McClure is the only one leading her respective team in all three aforementioned categories.
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 last 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.
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.
Marist Red Foxes (13-15, 10-8 MAAC)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 | 5:30 PM
Location: McCann Field House | Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
All-Time Series vs. Marist: Quinnipiac leads 6-4
Last Meeting: W, 79-57 (February 9, 2017 at QU)
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HERE. WE. GO!
Locking in a back-and-forth battle for the top seed in the MAAC Tournament with counterpart Rider, the Quinnipiac women's basketball team knows how crucial every game is down the stretch heading into the final week of the 2016-17 regular season. Armed with the same conference record as the Broncs (15-3), Quinnipiac needs every win to keep pace as the Bobcats own the tiebreaker via a season series sweep of Rider and will earn the No. 1 seed with victories in their final two games against Marist and Canisius. Winners of five straight, the Bobcats head into a crucial road MAAC matchup against conference rival Marist on Thursday night at 5:30 PM in a game that can be seen live on ESPN3.
SCOUTING THE RED FOXES
- Marist (13-15, 10-8 MAAC) opened the season with one of their worst stretches in recent memory, losing six straight to open 2016-17
- The Red Foxes, however, righted the ship and have since gone 13-9 while they come in winners of two straight conference games after dropping three in-a-row prior to the recent uptick
- With still plenty to play for, the Red Foxes could work their way into the thick of things for the No. 3 seed but they can also fall all the way down to No. 6 depending on the final two results of the season
- The three-ball and free throw line are significant advantages for Marist as the Red Foxes lead the league in three-pointers made per game (8.8) as well as free throw percentage (79.2) in conference games
- Sitting fifth in the MAAC in scoring offense (62.1) and sixth in scoring defense (64.2), Marist has the tools to prove to be a tough out for anyone in the conference
- Even though Marist relies heavily on the three-point shot, the Red Foxes don't hit at a great rate as the team shoots 31.7 percent on the season from behind the arc
- Marist's defense also isn't dynamic as the Red Foxes rank in the lower portion of the MAAC in both steals (5.5) and blocks (2.6) per game but their field goal percentage defense (39.8) is respectable
- A much different team from in year's past, gone are Sydney Coffey and Tori Jarosz, two All-MAAC First Team performers that carried Marist for the better part of the last three seasons in the conference
- Expected to contribute significantly at the guard position, junior Allie Clement went down with a season-ending knee injury after just three games played this season, shortening the Marist bench even more
- Starting five underclassmen, Marist plays their starting lineup (Rebekah Hand 35.7, Maura Fitzpatrick 36.3, Claire Oberdorf 37.4, Hannah Hand 32.6 and Lovi Henningsdottir 27.3) all at least 27 minutes per game while just two bench players (Kendall Baab 15.1, Morgan Bartner 11.8) average double digit minutes per game
- All five of those consistent starting members have hit at least 28 three-pointers on the season, posing a great threat for any opposition
- Despite the ultra-short bench, Marist has still performed very well in the MAAC as the Red Foxes currently sit sixth in the standings at 10-8 but only one game out of third place
- Eight-time MAAC Rookie of the Week Rebekah Hand is the player to watch for the Red Foxes as the MAAC's Rookie of the Year frontrunner comes in averaging 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game
- Hand's all-around numbers are impressive but her shooting percentages leave something to be desired as she is just 34.0 percent from the floor and 24.1 percent from behind the arc this season
- Maura Fitzpatrick is a fantastic all-around player for Marist as the Cheshire, CT native makes her return home averaging 12.0 points while shooting 40.6 percent overall to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game
- Filling out the backcourt rotation is the dynamic combination of Claire Oberdorf (11.5 PPG, 38.2 3FG%, 5.2 RPG) and Hannah Hand (10.2 PPG, 42.5 FG%, 39.4 3FG%, 4.6 RPG)
- Playing out of the guard position, Oberdorf and Hannah Hand are the main three-point threats for the Red Foxes and can certainly stretch the defense
ALL-TIME AGAINST MARIST
- Quinnipiac owns the slight edge in the all-time series with a 6-4 record against the Red Foxes
- Quinnipiac blitzed the Red Foxes from the three-point line in the first meeting this season, burying a season high 14 three-pointers to defeat Marist at home, 79-57, on February 9
- These two programs are quite familiar with one another as this will be the eleventh meeting between both sides in just four seasons in the MAAC together
- Prior to 2013-14, these two sides hadn't met since 1985
- Fast forward to 2016-17 and these teams have played one another in the 2014 and 2015 MAAC Championship game, with the Red Foxes winning in 2014 and Quinnipiac taking the title in 2015
- In the 2014-15 season, Quinnipiac became the first school since Siena in 2003-04 to sweep the Red Foxes in the regular season
- These two sides split the season series in 2015-16, with each side winning their home game against the other
MASTERING MARIST
Quinnipiac's 79-57 home win over Marist on Thursday was significant on many levels but the most noteworthy trend from the 22-point home win was the Bobcats handed the Red Foxes their most lopsided loss to a MAAC opponent in over 13 seasons. The last time traditional MAAC power Marist lost to a MAAC foe by more than 22 points came back on February 14, 2003 in a 90-56 road loss to Niagara (291 games ago).
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Quinnipiac has guaranteed themselves at least a first round bye and 1-2 seed in the upcoming 2017 MAAC Tournament held at the Times Union Center in Albany. The Bobcats currently own the same conference record as Rider at 15-3 but still control their destiny as two wins in the final two games of the regular season would seal the top seed and at least a share of the MAAC Regular Season title (would be the Bobcats' third straight regular season championship). Quinnipiac swept the Broncs in their regular season series and thus own the tiebreaker if the two teams were to finish with the same record. Quinnipiac has two games remaining at Marist (Thursday) and home against Canisius (Saturday) while Rider takes on Niagara at home (Friday) and Fairfield on the road (Sunday).
PRETTY NOTEWORTHY DEFENSE
Quinnipiac's defense has led the MAAC all season as the Bobcats are currently allowing 56.9 points per game (31st-best mark in the nation). If that average were to stand through the end of the season, that would signal a new program record for fewest points allowed per game in a single-season. Quinnipiac has allowed fewer than 60 points per game just three times in Div. I history (2015-16 – 58.7, 2012-13 – 57.4, 2007-08 – 58.7). In MAAC-only games, Quinnipiac is allowing a miniscule 54.5 PPG while opponents are shooting just 35.9 percent from the floor in conference play, both standards that currently lead the MAAC. For the season, Quinnipiac is allowing opponents to shoot 36.0 percent (26th-best in the nation) while also ranking fifth in the nation in steals per game (11.9). Allowing 0.762 points per possession (best in the MAAC), Quinnipiac has allowed over 70 points to a MAAC opponent just once in 18 conference games.
FIVE-FOR-ALL
Quinnipiac has broken out of the two-game losing streak and turned into a simply dominant team in the recent five-game win streak. In that span, Quinnipiac scrapped the five-in, five-out "Gold Rush" subbing pattern and is now averaging 70.2 PPG (42.5 FG%) while outscoring the opposition by an average margin of +17.2. The most noteworthy stat in that span is from the three-point line as the Bobcats are hitting 38.3 percent (41-107 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 13.4 PPG while Adily Martucci comes in with 13.0 PPG during the stretch.
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 17 teams across the nation and one of just four mid-major programs. Over the last six seasons, Quinnipiac stands with a record of 151-45 for a .770 win percentage which ranks as the 16th-best overall mark in the nation.
RPI REPORT
Through 28 games in 2016-17, Quinnipiac continues to get tons of respect in the RPI ranking list as the Bobcats check in at No. 43 in the most-recent report. Out of the 42 teams ranked ahead of Quinnipiac, 36 of those are high-major programs as the Bobcats are seventh-highest among mid-majors. Quinnipiac also owns easily the highest RPI among MAAC teams as the next-closest squad Rider comes in ranked No. 109 while Iona is third at No. 143 (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 (78 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 73-14 (.839) in all games against MAAC opponents and 66-12 (.846) 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 61-23 (.726) in games against conference foes over the last four seasons and stand 57-21 (.731) in regular season MAAC play.
TOP SPOT IN THE MAAC
Through 28 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 (68.2), scoring defense (56.9), scoring margin (+11.3), field goal percentage defense (36.0), blocked shots (4.9), assists (16.6), steals (11.9), turnover margin (+6.36) 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 63-7 (.900) in games played at home. In just the last three seasons (since 2014-15), Quinnipiac owns a mark of 38-3 (.927). 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 35-4 (.897) 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 28-1 (.966) at the TD Bank Sports Center in conference games since 2014-15 and are currently riding a 18-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. Overall, however, the Bobcats are 17-2 in the 2016-17 season to give Quinnipiac a mark of 62-2 (.969) 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 +178 advantage (+6.36 per game; 15th in the nation) in turnover margin. The Bobcats have turned the ball over just 418 times while forcing the opposition into 596 turnovers (21.3 per game) which ranks 12th in the nation. Just 10 of the Bobcats' 28 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 28 opponents 557-360 (+197) in points-off-turnovers for a per-game average of 19.9 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 28 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 | 28 | 22-6 | 464 | 16.6 | 418 | 14.9 | 1.11 | 49th | 1st (MAAC) |
| Total | 164 | 129-35 | 2783 | 17.0 | 2313 | 14.1 | 1.20 | ||
WAR OF ATTRITION
Quinnipiac has outscored the opposition 1910-1593 (+317, +11.3 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 27 games in every quarter but in the second (449-332, +117), third (515-419, +96) and fourth (521-438, +83) quarters are where the advantages really jump out compared to the first stanza (425-404, +21). 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 (68.2) and have the second-fewest 10+ PPG scorers in the conference as Jen Fay (10.3) and Adily Martucci (10.0) are the lone Quinnipiac players averaging double figures in points. Saint Peter's is the only 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 (10.3 PPG). Credit Fay's production since the start of MAAC play as a leading indication to her spike in scoring as she leads the team averaging 11.1 points in 20.6 minutes per contest through 18 conference games. Fay is shooting 48.0 percent (71-148 FG) overall and 36.7 percent (22-60 3FG) from three. She has posted 11 double digit outings in 18 league games and has scored at least 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 9.4 points (40.8 FG%), 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks in 19.8 minutes over 18 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 2.9 fouls per game in 18 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 22 games the Bobcats have won this season, Strautmane averages 9.8 PPG (44.2 FG%, 75.0 FT%), 5.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.9 SPG and 1.6 BPG in 19.9 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 third behind Jen Fay and Adily Martucci 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 across the Bobcats' five-game win streak as she is posting 9.8 PPG while shooting a team-leading 51.4 percent (18-35 FG) from the floor, 41.7 percent (5-12 3FG) from three and 88.9 percent (8-9 FT) from the free throw line while adding 4.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game. Within the five-game win streak, Shewan has tallied three of her seven double digit scoring games on the season while her field goal percentage has improved drastically from where it stood through the first 23 games of the season (32.1 FG%, 50-156 FG).
MARTUCCI MAKING HER MARK
Adily Martucci broke through with one of her best games of the season, scoring a game high 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding two assists, two steals and two blocks in a road win over Manhattan (2/19). Martucci has been a key player in the recent five-game win streak as she is averaging 13.0 PPG while reaching the 10-point plateau four times in the stretch. Martucci's team-leading 14th double-digit outing of the season continues a season-long trend that has the guard producing career highs in scoring (10.0 PPG), field goal percentage (40.1), free throw percentage (88.9) and steals (1.7).
FABBRI FINDING HER WAY
Coming off a breakout 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 5.4 PPG on a much-improved 38.8 percent (19-49 3FG) shooting from long range in the last 18 games. With just four three-point makes through the opening 10 games, Fabbri has since made 19 over the last 18 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 8.1 PPG, 6.0 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 (168), assists (79) and blocks (41). Of all the players in the MAAC, McClure is the only one leading her respective team in all three aforementioned categories.
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 last 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.
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

















































