Photo Courtesy: QU Athletics
By: John Franklin
The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team did not start off the new year the way they had hoped. The Bobcats traveled to West Long Branch, New Jersey on Jan. 2 to take on the Monmouth Hawks.
“We just weren’t making plays to win the game.” coach Tricia Fabbri said after her squad fell to Monmouth, 63-60.
The Bobcats entered the game winless in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with an 0-2 record.
The early going was tough for the Bobcats as the team missed their first eight shot attempts from behind the arc. Quinnipiac shot just 22 percent from the field in the first quarter.
“The offensive woes have definitely been there.” Fabbri said. “We are looking to make some changes in terms of what we do in our motion.”
Quinnipiac entered the second half down just four points when senior guard Maria Napolitano caught fire.
The senior was responsible for 11 of the Bobcats 13 points in their 13-to-7 run to start the second half.
Napolitano netted a career-high 23 points to go along with four rebounds.
“She had a really good game.” Fabbri said, “From her, and Adily (Martucci) had a really good game down at Florida Gulf Coast, hopefully we can continue to build some offensive consistency off of those two.”
Entering the fourth quarter, neither team led by more than six points.
Monmouth came out in the fourth using a hard press to try and force turnovers, but it was Quinnipiac that came out on top in the turnover department.
The Bobcats scored 19 points off turnovers compared to the Hawks 12.
“We really came right out and answered.” Fabbri said, “We didn’t mind the press. We had more of the attack mode.”
The fourth quarter saw the two teams trading blows like prize fighters.
The game went back-and-forth between Napolitano and Monmouth guard Jasmine McCall.
With just under a minute remaining Napolitano picked McCall clean and scored a layup on the fast break to give Quinnipiac the 60-59 lead, but it was McCall who would have the final say.
Quinnipiac inbounded the ball with 31 seconds left in the game, and began to play keep away from Monmouth’s high-pressure defense.
With 18 seconds left forward Paula Strautmane’s errant pass was stolen by Monmouth, giving the Hawks time for a final possession.
McCall would drive and get fouled on the ensuing Monmouth possession, giving her two shots, and a chance at the lead.
McCall buried both free throws, and left just seven seconds on the clock for Quinnipiac.
On Quinnipiac’s next possession Adily Martucci would travel, and Monmouth would make two more free throws en route to the 63-60 win.
“We saw the ball go inside,” Fabbri said. “But we wouldn’t take the shot when we had the size down low, and that was frustrating. As we continue to work the ball inside, then it will open up the outside, and give us the opportunity to win games down the road.”
