Bobcats Outlast Niagara to Improve to 3-0 in MAAC

Friday, January 10

Hamden, CT

7:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

8-5,3-0MAAC

Niagara

3-11,1-2MAAC

Niagara

Quinnipiac

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

1/10/2020 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Balanc, Marfo Each Record Double-Double in Win

By: QU Athletic Communications

HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac men's basketball improved to 3-0 in MAAC play for the first time since joining the conference on Friday night at the People's United Center, holding on to defeat Niagara by the final score of 67-56.

The Bobcats outrebounded Niagara 51-25 in the win – the most total rebounds Quinnipiac has grabbed since Jan. 2, 2017 when the program recorded 52 rebounds also vs. the Purple Eagles.

Rich Kelly paced the offense with 21 total points (5-for-7 from three-point distance). Kevin Marfo added 14 points and 12 rebounds, extending his double-digit rebound streak to 13 games.

First Year guard Matt Balanc chipped in with 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, and First Year guard Brendan McGuire recorded a career-best 10 assists in the victory.

SCORE
Quinnipiac 67, Niagara 56

LOCATION
People's United Center | Hamden, Conn.

RECORDS
Quinnipiac (8-5, 3-0 MAAC) | Niagara (3-11, 1-2 MAAC)

QUINNIPIAC STATISTICAL LEADERS

Points: Rich Kelly 21, Kevin Marfo 14, Matt Balanc 12, Jacob Rigoni 10
Rebounds: Kevin Marfo 12, Matt Balanc 10, Seth Pinkney 8, Jacob Rigoni 7
Assists: Brendan McGuire 10, Tyrese Williams 2, Aaron Falzon 2
Steals: Rich Kelly 2, Brendan McGuire 1
Blocks: Seth Pinkney 2

NOTES

Quinnipiac shot 23-for-59 (39.0 percent) in total, knocking down nine three-point field goals in the win.
The Bobcats outrebounded Niagara 51-25, grabbing 15 total offensive boards. Quinnipiac held a 23-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Quinnipiac's bench outscored the Purple Eagles 26-10.
Kelly's 21 points came on 6-for-12 shooting, as the junior went 5-of-7 from distance in 36+ minutes. He also added a season-high five rebounds.
Kevin Marfo recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Bobcats' junior big man is now averaging 13.2 rebounds per contest. He is the only Division I player in the country to record 10+ rebounds in each game he's played in this season.
First Year guard Matt Balanc contributed with 12 points and 10 rebounds, the first double-double of his collegiate career. Balanc shot 5-for-13 in total, knocking down two three-pointers.
Fellow First-Year Brendan McGuire recorded a team-best 10 assists – a career-high mark for the Long-Island native. McGuire also grabbed four rebounds in the win.
Junior forward Jacob Rigoni scored 10 points and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds, knocking down two shots from distance in the winning effort.
First Year forward Seth Pinkney added six points, a career-high eight rebounds and two blocks in 14+ minutes.
With the win, Quinnipiac moves to 10-5 against Niagara in the Division I era.

NEXT UP

The Bobcats have a quick turnaround this weekend, hosting Monmouth on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2:00 p.m. in Hamden.
To purchase tickets to all Quinnipiac men's basketball home contests, CLICK HERE.
To stay up to date with all Quinnipiac men's basketball news, follow the program on Twitter/Facebook @QU_MBB or visit www.gobobcats.com/mbb.