Bobcats trounce Fairfield in big MAAC victory
Photo Courtesy: Jack Main
January 25, 2020
Highlights – Eric Kerr
Postgame Reaction – Bryan Schwartz
Story – Megan Maharry
The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team faced off in a home match-up against Fairfield Saturday afternoon.
With a breakout offense and a lock-down defense, the Bobcats broke the Stags’ perfect conference record with a final score of 76-62.
“We knew today was a pivotal game for us. We came out and played a great first two quarters, it really could be our best 20 minutes of basketball,” Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “That was certainly a fun one.”
Fairfield, who was undefeated in MAAC play coming into today’s game, now moves to 9-7 overall and 6-1 in MAAC play. Today’s win puts Quinnipiac at 8-9 overall and 5-3 in-conference.
Strong offense from Quinnipiac throughout the first quarter seemed to set a tone that would carry throughout the entire game. The Bobcats scored over 20 points in both the first and second quarters.
The points were spread evenly, as nearly every Bobcat player on the court tallied points. Junior Shaq Edwards and first-year Mikala Morris led the charge with 11 points each in the first half. Edwards and Morris ended the game with 15 points each.
“This game was a confidence booster because this was our first win against a really big team,” Morris said. “So it just shows the rest of the teams in conference we’re still in it.”
Senior Paige Warfel and first-year Cur’Tiera Haywood also ended the game in double digit points, with 10 and 13 respectively. Warfel also nabbed 10 rebounds, giving her a double-double on the afternoon.
In the first half, Quinnipiac was able to force 10 turnovers, and then score 14 points in result of those turnovers.
The Bobcats went into halftime shooting over 50 percent from the field, and holding onto the wide lead of 49-27.
The third quarter showed no signs of Quinnipiac’s offense slipping. The Bobcats defense was also on lockdown, as they held the Stags to just a 43 percent shooting percentage. Quinnipiac had the 66-45 lead going into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Bobcats would not be denied. Fairfield was never able to catch up to the large lead Quinnipiac tallied, ultimately giving the Bobcats the 76-62.
“Today was more of a statement game for the rest of the conference, showing that Quinnipiac is still here and we still have the ability to be on top,” Edwards said.
The Bobcats look for another win in their next road match-up against Saint Peter’s at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City, N.J. on Jan 30. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
