Bobcats Host Vermont Friday at 4 PM in Hamden

Friday, November 17

Hamden, Conn.

4:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

Vermont

Buy Tickets

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

11/16/2023 9:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: QU Athletic Communications

Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-1, 0-0 MAAC) vs. Vermont Catamounts (1-1, 0-0 America East)
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 | 4:00 PM
M&T Bank Arena | Hamden, Conn.
Game Notes: Quinnipiac | Vermont

Watch: ESPN+
Live Statistics: Sidearm Stats
Tickets: Buy HERE
In-Game Updates: @QU_WBB

All-Time vs. Vermont: QU leads series 3-0
D1 Era vs. Vermont: QU leads series 3-0
Last Meeting vs. Harvard: W, 77-65 (Nov. 28, 2015)

HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac women's basketball team returns home to Hamden, as the Bobcats play host to America East favorites Vermont on Friday, Nov. 17. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. inside M&T Bank Arena on ESPN+.

LAST TIME OUT

Jackie Grisdale scored a team-high 12 points, as the Quinnipiac women's basketball team came up short on the road against Harvard, 85-41, Sunday afternoon evening inside Lavietes Pavilion.
Karson Martin scored nine points off the bench for the second consecutive game to open the season.
Anna Foley recorded a career-high four blocks in the loss.
Bri Bowen recorded seven points and two steals.

SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS

Vermont is led by Alisa Kresge, who boasts 73 wins in her sixth season at the helm with the Catamounts.
Vermont is currently ranked No. 16 in the Collegeinsider.com Women's Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.
The Catamounts enter the 2023-24 campaign as preseason favorite for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
The America East also announced its Preseason All-Conference Team, which featured UVM guard Emma Utterback and forward Anna Olson.
Olson receives the Preseason All-Conference honor for the third consecutive year. Last season saw Olson lead America East in field goal percentage on her way to averaging 11.4 points, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks while leading the team with 6.5 rebounds per game.
Utterback earns her second consecutive Preseason All-Conference honor after being named to the America East All-Conference First team a season ago.
The Greenwood, Ind. native ranked fifth in the conference in scoring at 14.0 points per game and led America East play with 4.2 assists per game while shooting 40.9%.
Vermont enters the contest at 1-1 on the early campaign.
Vermont began their season with a 60-48 victory over Miami (OH) at Patrick Gym on Monday (Nov.6). With the victory Vermont earned their 11th straight victory at Patrick dating back to January 1, 2023.
Emma Utterback and Anna Olson led the way for the Catamounts with 20 points apiece. Utterback added seven assists while Olson chipped in seven rebounds.
The Catamounts came up short on the road at Providence in their last time out, falling 57-47 this past Friday.
Utterback led Vermont with 15 points and seven assists in the loss against the Friars.

DIV. I HISTORY VS. VERMONT

Friday's contest marks the fourth matchup between the two programs in their Div. I history.
Quinnipiac is 3-0 all-time against Vermont and is averaging 75.0 points per game in those contests.
The last time the two sides squared off, Quinnipiac came away with a 77-65 victory over Vermont in Burlington on Nov. 28, 2015.
Maria Napolitano led the way for Quinnipiac in the victory with 20 points and three assists.

LEADER OF THE PACK

Head coach Tricia Fabbri is in her 29th season at the helm of the Bobcats in 2023-24.
A five-time Coach of the Year and all-time winningest coach in program history, Fabbri has totaled 504 career victories, thus far.
With the win over Mount St. Mary's on Feb. 16, 2023, Fabbri became the 90th coach in Div. I women's basketball history to reach 500 career wins and the 22nd to accomplish the feat at one institution without coaching at another.
Of her 504 wins, 489 have come in Quinnipiac's Div. I era.
With 20 wins in 2022-23, Fabbri secured the program's 12th straight winning season under her guidance.
Fabbri's Bobcats have reached the 20-win plateau in 12 seasons, including a run of eight straight seasons from 2011-2019.
With five NCAA Tournament appearances along with five WNIT berths, Fabbri has led QU to 10 postseason national tournaments in her tenure.
She has led Quinnipiac to five conference titles in the last 11 seasons and earned five consecutive MAAC Regular Season titles from 2015-2019.

JUST WIN BABY, WIN!!

M&T Bank Arena, 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 126-27 (.824) in games played at home.
In that same span, the Bobcats own a mark of 92-15 (.860) in conference play (NEC & MAAC) at home.
Quinnipiac owns a 124-54 (.697) mark since November 22, 2017.
The Bobcats stand with a mark of 82-15 (.845) at home in league games since joining the MAAC in 2013-14.
The Bobcats are 75-12 (.862) at M&T Bank Arena in conference games since the start of the 2014-15 campaign.

THAT 70s SHOW

Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, the Bobcats are 117-36 (.765) in games where they score at least 70 points.
During 2017-18 (20-0), 2016-17 (16-0), 2012-13 (18-0), and 2010-11 (8-0), the Bobcats compiled undefeated records in each respective season when reaching the 70-point scoring plateau

CLOSING TIME

Quinnipiac has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past four seasons when building a first-half lead.
After starting 2016-17 with a mark of 2-0 when owning a halftime lead, the Bobcats saw one of their most impressive streaks in program history come to an end in a 71-68 loss at Temple.
The undefeated streak, which lasted throughout three seasons, came to an end at 46 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, the Bobcats own a mark of 156-14 (.918) since the start of 2014-15 in games in which Quinnipiac leads at the half.

LOCKING UP

Outside of the two contests against nationally ranked opponents, Quinnipiac did not allow an opponent to score more than 69 points in a game in 2022-23.
Quinnipiac did not allow an opponent to reach 70 points in 27 straight games, before having its streak snapped by Harvard on Nov. 12, 2023.

WELL THAT WAS FUN

Quinnipiac women's basketball opened the 2023-24 season with a 13-point victory at home, downing America East powerhouse Maine, 70-57, this past Monday inside M&T Bank Arena.
With the win, the Bobcats open the season at 1-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
Anna Foley scored 21 points in her collegiate debut. The most by a rookie in their QU debut in the program's Div. I history. For the game, Foley totaled 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Jackie Grisdale added 17 points, while Ella O'Donnell recorded 16 points and five rebounds in the win.
Karson Martin totaled nine points and four assists off the bench in her collegiate debut.
Paige Girardi added seven rebounds and three assists to contribute to the victory in her collegiate debut.
Newcomers Bri Bowen, Maria Kealy, and Kassidy Thompson all made their collegiate debuts as well on Monday.

CAPTAIN JACK

With the title, Grisdale is the first singular captain in Quinnipiac's Div. I history and first under Fabbri during her 29 years at the helm of the program.
Grisdale was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team as announced by the league office as part of the inaugural MAAC Basketball Tipoff held at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Grisdale dropped 17 points to help lead Quinnipiac to a win over Maine in the season-opener on Nov. 6.
As a sophomore last season, Grisdale started in all 30 games and averaged career-highs of 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals per game.
Regarded as a top-notch defender, Grisdale earned Christmas City Classic All-Tournament honors last season after holding the Bobcats' opponents' season-leading scorers to a combined total of five points on 2-for-11 (18.1%) shooting during the tournament.
Earning MAAC All-Rookie Team honors in 2021-22, Grisdale became the first player in program history to earn all-conference honors as a walk-on.

BACK ON THE BLOCK

Sophomore Ella O'Donnell is primed for a breakout campaign, following a strong rookie year.
O'Donnell totaled 16 points and five rebounds in the victory over Maine in the season-opener on Nov. 6.
Earning MAAC All-Rookie Team honors, O'Donnell shined as a first-year for the Bobcats.
O'Donnell appeared in all 30 games last season, making 15 starts.
Last season she averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 20.0 minutes per game.
A native of Shankill, Ireland, O'Donnell is a member of the Irish women's basketball national team.
This past summer, O'Donnell was a member of the U20 Irish National Team for the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Romania, where her team finished in sixth.
O'Donnell averaged 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during the tournament.
She made her Irish senior women's national team debut at 18 years old in 2022.

GRACE THE ACE

Junior Grace LaBarge emerged as a reliable two-way option for the Bobcats off the bench as a sophomore in 2022-23.
LaBarge averaged career-highs of 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season.
She averaged 8.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 44.8% from three in over her last nine contests in 2022-23.
She shot 37.0% from three-point range and knocked down 20 three-pointers, which ranked fourth on the team in 2022-23.

BRAND NEW BOBCATS

Quinnipiac Head Coach Tricia Fabbri retooled her roster, bringing in eight newcomers, including a class of seven rookies.
Fabbri's seven rookies are her largest class of first-years in her 29 years at the helm of the program.

FABULOUS FOLEY

Possibly the gem of the class, Anna Foley comes in as a first-year likely to play heavy minutes early on.
Foley is averaging 3.0 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the nation.
Foley tallied a career-high four blocks against Harvard on Nov. 12.
Anna Foley totaled 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in her collegiate debut to help lead Quinnipiac past Maine in the season-opener on Nov. 6.
Foley's 21 points in the opener was the most by a rookie in their QU debut in the program's Div. I history.
Foley Graduated from Andover with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She scored 1,139 total career points at Andover.
She averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior en route to being named the 2022-23 Max Preps Massachusetts Basketball Player of the Year.
A two-time Conference MVP, Foley helped lead Andover to two conference titles and two state championships.

GNARLY GIRARDI

The first of Fabbri's class to commit to QU, Paige Girardi comes in as a guard who can slot in at any spot in the backcourt.
Girardi grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists in her collegiate debut in the win over Maine on Nov. 6.
Girardi graduated from Warwick Valley High School with five varsity letters in women's basketball and over 1,000 points scored.
As a senior, Girardi averaged 20.6 points per game en route to being named the BCANY Player of the Year.
Girardi owns Warwick Valley basketball records for most three-pointers made in a single season (77), most three-pointers made in a game (6), highest three-percentage (44%), and most points scored in a single season (425).
A two-time All-BCANY First Team selection, Girardi was a BCANY All-Star Team selection and BCANY All-Tournament Team Selection as a senior.
A two-time Class AA All-State selection, Girardi helped lead Warwick Valley to five division championships, and the 2021-22 Sectional and Regional Championship in 2021-22.

MAGIC MARIA

A point guard's point guard, Maria Kealy joins the Bobcats from Donegal, Ireland.
Member of the U20 Irish National Team for the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Romania.
Kealy averaged 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game at the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship.
Made Irish women's national team debut at 17 years old in 2021 for the U18 squad at the European Championships.
Kealy served as vice-captain for Team Ireland U18 at the 2022 European Championships held in Bulgaria.
She averaged 6.9 points, 7.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.1 steals per game for Team Ireland at the 2022 European Championships.
She graduated from Loreto Letterkenny with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
Led the Letterkenny Blaze to four consecutive Northwest League and Cup championships.

TENACIOUS THOMPSON

A two-way wing, Kassidy Thompson aims to prove herself this season as a hard-nosed defender for the Bobcats.
Thompson graduated from Camden Catholic with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She concluded her high school career with 1,563 points scored, 548 rebounds, 152 steals, and 117 made three-pointers.
Thompson was selected as a 2023 McDonald's All-American Nominee.
She was 1 of 5 Finalists for the 2023 New Jersey Prep Girls Hoops Player of the Year as a senior.
Thompson was selected to play in the 2023 Philadelphia All-American game, where she was named the game's MVP.
Thompson hails from a family that has succeeded at the Div. I level for basketball.
Her father, Michael, played basketball at Drexel.
Her brother, Kyle, played basketball at La Salle, while her sister, Kennedi, played basketball at Binghamton and currently serves as a women's basketball assistant coach for Army West Point.

HERE COMES K-MART

A true point guard, Karson Martin looks to bring her tenacity to the backcourt in Hamden.
Martin scored nine points off the bench against Harvard on Nov. 12.
Martin totaled nine points, four assists, and two rebounds off the bench in her collegiate debut to help lead QU past Maine on Nov. 6.
Martin graduated from Woodstock High School with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She concluded her high school career with over 1,500 points scored and over 500 rebounds.
As a senior, Martin led the state of Georgia in points and steals per game.
A two-time First Team All-Region selection, Martin was also a two-time Second Team All-Region honoree and two-time Second Team All-County selection.

EPIC EMMA

A stretch-four, Emma Carman comes to Hamden with a bunch of energy and is ready to hoop for the Bobcats.
Carman Graduated from Red Bank Catholic with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She was ranked as the No. 9 player in her class via MaxPreps.
Carman was a Second Team All-Shore selection as a junior.
She was named as a WOBM Tournament First Team selection as a senior.
Carman helped lead Red Bank Catholic to four conference championships.

SENSATIONAL SOLLENNE

Ava Sollenne joins the Bobcats as a walk-on guard for the 2023-24 season.
Sollenne graduated from St. Luke's School with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game as a senior.
Sollenne shot 40.0% from three-point range as a senior.
A two-time All-NEPSAC selection, Sollenne was also an FAA First Team selection as a senior and FAA Second Team selection as a junior.
Sollenne helped lead St. Luke's to two FAA Championships.
She aided St. Luke's to the school's first-ever New England Championship as a senior.

C'MON BARBRI LET'S GO PARTY

A transfer from Delaware, Bri Bowen joins the Bobcats as a sophomore for the 2023-24 season.
Bowen scored her first career points against Harvard, posting seven in the contest on Nov. 12.
Bowen graduated from Archbishop Wood with four varsity letters in women's basketball.
She averaged 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 assists per game during her time at Archbishop Wood.
A two-time captain at Archbishop Wood, Bowen was a 2022 McDonald's All-American nominee.
Bowen earned All-Catholic Philadelphia Catholic League First Team honors and was a PIAA All-State selection as a senior.
A three-time Montgomery County Times Herald All-Area Team selection, Bowen was also a three-time Bucks-Mont Intelligencer/Courier All-Area Team honoree.
Bowen Aided Archbishop Wood to a PIAA State Championship as a senior and helped lead them to a Philly Catholic League Championship as a junior.

WELCOME HOME SAMMY G

Quinnipiac University women's basketball Head Coach Tricia Fabbri announced the addition of alumnae Sam Guastella '15 as an assistant coach to the program on Friday, Aug. 11.
Before joining Quinnipiac, Guastella served as an assistant coach at nearby Yale University, where she began the alumni mentorship program while developing student-athletes on and off the court and excelling in student-athlete recruitment and scouting reports for game preparation.
Before her time at Yale, Guastella spent two seasons at Temple, helping the Owls to a pair of American Athletic Conference Tournament appearances.
Before that, she got her start in coaching as a graduate assistant at La Salle in 2018-19 and was elevated to an assistant coach role for the 2019-20 season. She helped the Explorers more than double their overall and Atlantic 10 win totals in her second year.
At La Salle in 2019-20, she helped the Explorers to their first win over a Power 5 program (Penn State) since November 2015.
She worked directly with guard/forward Kayla Spruill, helping her earn the Big 5 Most Improved Player Award after nearly doubling her points per game and tripling her rebounds per game.
Guastella's playing career was marked by success in Hamden, including a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, a couple of WNIT appearances, and a pair of conference championships at Quinnipiac.
She led the Bobcats to the best record in program history in 2014-15 (31-4). That included an undefeated conference mark of 20-0 and Quinnipiac's first MAAC Championship.
She was a First Team All-MAAC selection and finished her career as the Bobcats' all-time leader with 225 career three-pointers.
She also had the most career blocked shots (179) of anyone in QU's Division I era (since 1998-99) and served as team captain.

PRESEASON ACCLAIM

Quinnipiac women's basketball was tabbed No. 5 in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office as part of the inaugural MAAC Basketball Tip-off held at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
The Bobcats received 81 points in the preseason coaches' poll – finishing behind Niagara (116 points), Siena (112 points), Fairfield (87 points) and Marist (86 points).
Quinnipiac junior Jackie Grisdale was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team as well.
As a sophomore last season, Grisdale started in all 30 games and averaged career-highs of 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals per game.
As a first-year and walk-on for the 2021-22 season, Grisdale appeared in 27 games and averaged 4.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game en route to earning MAAC All-Rookie Team honors.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Bobcats will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 25, when the Bobcats open competition at the Navy Classic against Navy.
Tip-off from Alumni Hall is set for 1 p.m.
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.