Bobcats Drop Hard Fought Battle To Niagara In Overtime, 66-60

Thursday, February 22

Hamden, Conn.

6:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

Niagara

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

Bobcats Drop Hard Fought Battle To Niagara In Overtime, 66-60

2/22/2024 9:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac women's basketball team lost a hard-fought battle to the Niagara Purple Eagles, 66-60, in overtime on Thursday night in Hamden. Karson Martin and Ava Sollenne tied for the team lead with 14 points each.

With the loss, the Bobcats will fall to 10-15 on the season and 7-9 in the MAAC, while Niagara will improve to 15-11 overall and 12-4 in conference play. Niagara defeated Quinnipiac in both meetings this season with both wins coming in overtime.

The Bobcats hopped out to a two-point lead before Niagara tied it up at two. Ava Sollenne knocked down a three to take the Bobcats into the media timeout with a 5-2 lead.

Sollenne knocks one down 🎯#Foundation🔨 pic.twitter.com/XRvGHbUZD5
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 22, 2024

Quinnipiac improved on their lead as Reiven Douglas banked in a shot to give the Bobcats a seven-point lead.

Reiven banks one home 💰#Foundation🔨 pic.twitter.com/o6sGWZMX4V
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 22, 2024

Niagara crept back in the game, making it a two-point game. The Bobcats ended the quarter on a 6-0 run and entered the second quarter up 15-7.

The Purple Eagles fought back, making it a four-point game at the media timeout. The two sides traded baskets the rest of the second quarter and were tied at 23 at the half.

Niagara took a five-point lead early into the third quarter before Karson Martin got a bucket to fall to bring the Bobcats within one at the media timeout. Out of the timeout, Niagara grew their lead to eight before Ava Sollenne knocked down a three to bring the Bobcats within five.

This is what happens when Ava has that much space 🎯#Foundation🔨 pic.twitter.com/hKaEQb2Vhs
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 23, 2024

To start the final quarter, Niagara started on a 7-2 run to take a 49-42 lead into a timeout with 7:36 to play in the quarter. Out of the break, the Bobcats went on a run of their own capped off by a three from Ava Sollenne to tie the game at 50.

SOLLENNE KNOTS IT UP!! Timeout Niagara!!#Foundation🔨 pic.twitter.com/5BZLhpfs9i
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 23, 2024

The two teams traded buckets, with Niagara taking a three-point lead with 1:12 to play in the game. Anna Foley got a tough layup to go while drawing a foul to tie the game up at 58 and send the game into overtime.

AND-ONEEEEEEE#Foundation🔨 pic.twitter.com/smeiMpxMHl
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 23, 2024

Niagara would kick off overtime with a field goal of their own before Bri Bowen hit two free-throws to tie the game up again. Niagara would end overtime with a 6-0 run to seal the 66-60 win over the Bobcats.

NUMBERS AND NOTES

Karson Martin and Ava Sollenne tied for the team lead with 14 points each.
Martin was 2-for-3 (66.7%) from beyond the arc and recorded four rebounds and three steals.
Sollenne shot 5-9 (55.6%) from the field and knocked down four threes in eight attempts.
Anna Foley recorded nine points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Grace LaBarge shot 50% from the floor en route to seven points.
Reiven Douglas scored six points in 18 minutes and grabbed four boards.
Paige Girardi and Bri Bowen both picked up four points in the effort.
Khadijah Tungo recorded her first career bucket and recorded one block.
Quinnipiac shot 40.7% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Bobcats will wrap up their homestand with Senior Day and their matchup against the Canisius Golden Griffins.
Tip-off from M&T Bank Arena is set for 2 PM and can be seen on ESPN+.