By Tom Cunningham
The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team defeated the Army Black Knights 79-64 on Saturday afternoon in its season opener. The Bobcats were able to handle to reigning-Patriot League champs and Preseason Coaches No. 1 pick with relative ease.
The Bobcats have a roster full of veterans and their leadership and experience were on full display against the Black Knights. Seniors Nikoline Ostergaard and Samantha Guastella led the way for the Bobcats. Ostergaard finished with 18 points and eight rebounds while Guastella scored 15 points going three of four from the three-point line. The Bobcats also got 13 points and two blocks from graduate student Val Driscoll, who transferred to Quinnipiac from the University of Michigan after playing three seasons for the Wolverines.
For much of the beginning of the first half, the Bobcats and Black Knights traded baskets. The Bobcats began to pull away when Guastella hit a three followed by two more three-pointers from sophomore Morgan Manz.
The Bobcats dominated the Black Knights coming out of the locker room in the second half behind three straight baskets from Guastella, Driscoll and senior guard “Boo”Abshire opening up a 45-31 lead.
Despite several attempts to come back in this game, the Black Knights were never able to get any closer than seven points. The Bobcats largest lead of the afternoon came when the opened up a 76-56 lead.
The return to the court also brought the return of the “Gold Rush” for the Bobcats. Head coach Tricia Fabbri brought back the technique, which is subbing in five players in and five out at a time. This technique helped the Bobcats win the NEC Championship two years ago.
The Bobcats return to action on Tuesday when they play host to the Hampton Pirates at the T.D. Bank Sports Center.
