Quinnipiac's Defense Shines in Win over Niagara

Thursday, February 26

Hamden, Conn.

6:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

23-5,18-1MAAC

Niagara

1-27,1-18MAAC

Niagara

Quinnipiac

Photo by: Quinnipiac Athletics

2/26/2026 10:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Hamden, Conn. – The Quinnipiac Bobcats had their defense on full display in their 54-38 win over the Niagara Purple Eagles in Hamden on Thursday evening. With the win, the Bobcats improved to 23-5 overall and 18-1 in MAAC play, moving back in a tie for first place with the Fairfield Stags.

Jackie Grisdale and Ella Ryan each scored 12 points to lead the way for the Bobcats. Grisdale recorded her first collegiate double-double, grabbing ten rebounds in the win. Grisdale shot 30.8% (4-for-13) from the floor and knocked down two threes. Ella Ryan shot 44.4% (4-for-9) from the field and knocked down one of her two three-point attempts. Eight Bobcats recorded points in the 16-point win over Niagara.

FINAL SCORE
Quinnipiac 54, Niagara 38

RECORDS
Quinnipiac (23-5, 18-1 MAAC) | Niagara (1-27, 1-18 MAAC)

BOBCAT HIGHS
Points: Ella Ryan, Jackie Grisdale - 12
Rebounds: Jackie Grisdale – 10
Assists: Karson Martin - 5
Steals: Karson Martin - 5
Blocks: Anna Foley - 1

GAME REWIND
Sydney Ryan knocked down a three-pointer to get the Bobcats on the board first, and QU scored four straight points after that to take a 7-0 lead as Niagara called an early timeout. Out of the timeout, the Purple Eagles got on the board, but the Bobcats continued to keep their distance as they led Niagara 14-6 after the opening quarter.

Look at that pass from KMart 👀 #BeGreatToday pic.twitter.com/jA3Z7c013M
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 26, 2026

Niagara came out in the second quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 7-5 in the first five minutes of the second frame to make it a 19-13 lead at the media timeout. After Niagara cut it to a four-point game, Quinnipiac created a bit more distance as they took a 24-18 lead into the halftime break.

OH MY LAWDDDD 🔥 🔥 #BeGreatToday x #SCTopTen pic.twitter.com/bfezaDZ7HQ
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 26, 2026

Ella O'Donnell got Quinnipiac on the board first in the second half and Quinnipiac's lead grew to eight to kick off the third quarter. After the media timeout, QU outscored the Purple Eagles 6-2 in the final three minutes to take a 36-24 lead into the final frame.

Jackie races down the court and beats the buzzer 👀 #BeGreatToday pic.twitter.com/Fx3Art2YNY
— Quinnipiac Women's Basketball (@QU_WBB) February 27, 2026

The Bobcats scored six of the first eight points in the final quarter as Quinnipiac led 42-26 as Niagara called a timeout. Out of the break, the Bobcats kept their distance from Niagara as they closed out with a 54-38 win over the Purple Eagles.

NUMBERS AND NOTES

Jackie Grisdale and Ella Ryan each scored 12 points to lead the way for the Bobcats.
Grisdale recorded her first collegiate double-double, grabbing ten rebounds in the win. Grisdale shot 30.8% (4-for-13) from the floor and knocked down two threes.
Grisdale has scored 10+ points in 20 games this season.
Ella Ryan shot 44.4% (4-for-9) from the field and knocked down one of her two three-point attempts.
Ryan has reached double figures in 14 games this season and twice in the last three games.
Eight Bobcats recorded points in the 16-point win over Niagara.
Eight Bobcats grabbed at least one rebound, with seven recording two or more.
Six Bobcats dished out at least one assist in the game, with three dishing out at least two in the win.
Karson Martin led the Bobcats with five assists in the win, which was one shy of tying her season high.
Martin recorded five steals, the most she has recorded in a single game in her collegiate career.
Four different Bobcats recorded steals in the win over the Purple Eagles.
Quinnipiac allowed Sacred Heart to make only three three-pointers, marking the ninth time this season they have held their opponent to three or fewer made threes in a game.
Quinnipiac allowed 38 points to the Purple Eagles, the second-lowest point total of a QU opponent this season.
The Bobcats have held their opponent to 40 or fewer points in back-to-back games.
QU forced 21 turnovers and scored 19 points off of them.
Quinnipiac has led at the half in all but two games this season and are 23-3 in games in which it enters the halftime break with the lead.
Quinnipiac recorded 13 assists as a team on 21 made field goals. The Bobcats have recorded 10+ assists in all but one contest this year (7 - vs. St. John's).
Quinnipiac has recorded 10+ assists in all nineteen MAAC games so far this season and ranks second in the MAAC in total assists.
The Bobcats outrebounded the Purple Eagles, 43-31. Quinnipiac has only been outrebounded in seven contests this season and only three throughout conference play. The Bobcats are 20-0 this season when they outrebound their opponents.
The Bobcats have held their opponents to 60 or fewer points in 22 games this season and are 21-1 in those contests.
Out of twenty-three wins this season, the Bobcats have defeated twenty-two of those teams by ten or more points, eleven by 20+, three by 30+, and three by 40+.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Bobcats close out the regular season with a matchup against the Canisius Golden Griffins on Saturday, February 28^th, for Senior Day.
Tip-off from M&T Bank Arena is slated for 2 PM and can be seen on ESPN+.

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.