By: Shane Dennehy
The Quinnipiac Bobcats did not get off to the start that they were hoping for when they hosted the Michigan State Spartans on Tuesday night. The Bobcats were only able to score a total of 14 points in the first half, as the Spartans raced out to a 30 to 14 lead at the half and went on to win 71-54.
The Spartans started out the game in a 2-2-1 full court, zone press, which the Bobcats had no problem breaking. The Bobcats had troubles running their offense in the half court set as they were unable to penetrate the Spartans 3-2 zone defense or make their jump shots or free throws.
The Bobcats were 6-for-32 from behind the three-point line and 14-for-24 from the free throw line.
Head coach Tricia Fabbri was disappointed with her team’s first half struggles.
“11 turnovers at halftime was really troublesome. Not shooting the ball compounded our offensive woes, it was a perfect storm for us offensively.”
The first half was Quinnipiac’s downfall as it started the game shooting 0-for-11 from the three-point line. Quinnipiac finally hit a three late in the first half when redshirt senior Adily Martucci hit one of her three long balls.
Tori Jankoska scored a career-high 37 points against Oakland last Friday, but Martucci held her to 18 points, five below her season average of 23.4. Martucci scored a game-high 20 points in 23 minutes of play.
Tricia Fabbri was very impressed with what her redshirt senior captain was able to do on such little practice time.
“It’s so impressive because she did not practice. She was not here on Sunday, she was sick, we had a little sickness going through the team. She didn’t even practice yesterday morning, she did film and scout, so she went through just shoot today.”
Michigan State goes to 8-2 on the season, while Quinnipiac falls to 6-2 (2-0 MAAC). Michigan State will now travel to Rhode Island as it prepares to take on the Rhode Island Rams on Thursday night. The Bobcats will travel to Hartford to take on the Hartford Hawks on Saturday afternoon.
After the Bobcats face the Hawks, they will fly out to Las Vegas to play in the “Play 4Kay Shootout.” The Bobcats opening matchup comes against the New Mexico State Aggies who are the reining Western Athletic Conference champions.
