Morris Powers Bobcats Past Rider in MAAC Opener

Saturday, December 18

Lawrenceville, NJ / Alumni Gym

2:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

6-4,1-0MAAC

Rider

2-8,0-1MAAC

Quinnipiac

Rider

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

12/18/2021 4:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Morris Posts Fourth Double-Double of the Season in Victory

By: QU Athletic Communications

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Junior forward Mikala Morris tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double to lead the Quinnipiac women's basketball team past Rider in its MAAC opener on the road, 64-60, on Saturday afternoon inside of Alumni Gym.

Mackenzie DeWees and Cur'Tiera Haywood added 13 points apiece to lead the Bobcats, while Sajada Bonner added 10 points off the bench in the victory.

The Bobcats improved to 6-4 on the season and 1-0 in the MAAC with the win, while the Broncs fell to 2-8 on the campaign and 0–1 in conference-play.

SCORE
Quinnipiac 64, Rider 60

LOCATION
Alumni Gym | Lawrenceville, N.J.

RECORD
Quinnipiac 6-4 (1-0 MAAC) | Rider 2-8 (0-1 MAAC)

QUINNIPIAC STATISTICAL LEADERS

Points: Mackenzie DeWees (13), Cur'Tiera Haywood (13), Mikala Morris (12), Sajada Bonner (10)
Rebounds: Mikala Morris (11), Mackenzie DeWees (8), Sajada Bonner (5)
Steals: Mackenzie DeWees (4), Mikala Morris (3), Three tied (1)

GAME SUMMARY

After falling behind 4-1 2:15 into the contest, the Bobcats responded with a swift 7-0 run to take an 8-4 lead
However, Rider outscored Quinnipiac 12-5 over the final six minutes of the quarter to take a 16-13 lead into the second quarter
After the Bobcats cut the deficit to one, the Broncs countered with a 10-4 run to push their lead to 26-19 with 5:24 left in the first half
However, Quinnipiac responded with a 9-2 run to knot the score at 28-28 entering the break
Makenzie Helms scored seven of Quinnipiac's nine points on the run
The two sides traded points over the first 6:20 of the second half, playing to a 38-38 tie
The Bobcats closed the third quarter with a 10-3 run, capped by an old-fashioned three-point play from Sajada Bonner with 28 seconds left in the frame
Rider opened the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run, forcing Quinnipiac to take a timeout trailing 51-48 with 5:34 remaining in regulation
The Broncs' extended their lead to as much as 54-48 with 3:58 remaining in regulation
The Bobcats responded with a 9-1 run, capped by layup by Mikala Morris to give Quinnipiac a 57-55 lead with 48 seconds remaining
After Rider knotted the score at 57-57, Cur'Tiera Haywood scored on a layup with 32 seconds left to put Quinnipiac ahead by two
With the score tied at 59-59, Morris scored a layup to put Quinnipiac ahead with 18 seconds left
It proved to be enough as the Bobcats eventually held on for the 64-60 victory

NUMBERS AND NOTES

The win improved Quinnipiac's all-time record against Rider to 17-4
The win snapped the Bobcats' two-game losing streak in MAAC openers
The Bobcats had four players reach double-figures in scoring
Mackenzie DeWees and Cur'Tiera Haywood led the Bobcats with 13 points apiece
DeWees added eight rebounds and a team-best four steals
Haywood tallied four rebounds and three blocks as well
Mikala Morris added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three steals
The double-double marked the fourth double-double of the season for the junior
Morris' three steals ties her career-high
Sajada Bonner added 10 points off the bench
Bonner has reached double-figure scoring off the bench in three games this season

NEXT UP

The Bobcats will be back in action on Monday, Dec. 20, when Quinnipiac plays host to Fairfield in its MAAC home-opener
Tip-off from the People's United Center is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN3.
It is Quinnipiac's Holiday Game, if you wear a holiday attire to the contest then you will receive free admission into the game
The first 500 guests in attendance will receive a free Quinnipiac University scarf
To stay up to date with all Quinnipiac women's basketball news, follow the program on Twitter/Instagram @QU_WBB or visit www.gobobcats.com/wbb.