By Gilbert A. Celaya, QBSN Staff Writer

The Quinnipiac Bobcats (4-8, 0-1 NEC) fell in their conference opener, 63-61, as they hosted the St. Francis College Terriers (5-7, 1-0 NEC).

The Bobcats opened the game stifling the Terriers on the boards and going on a 9-0 scoring run.  But throughout the game, Quinnipiac was unable to capitalize on second chance lay-ups and missed free throws.  These miscues ultimately did the Bobcats in.

“Defensively, we’re good enough to hold pretty much everyone we play to an uncomfortable day, but offensively, we haven’t been able to figure enough stuff out this point out in the season to where we can separate from them,” head coach Tom Moore said.

The first half of play from both teams was physical, but both teams played sloppy throughout the game. The Bobcats were able to build up a 14-point lead in the first half.

However, the Terriers cut the lead to only three points after applying full-court presses on defense.  The Bobcats led 28-25 at the half.  Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Md.) controlled the first half for Quinnipiac.  Hearst ended the game with 13 points, along with 12 rebounds.

Moore, pointed out QU’s faults while crediting St. Francis’ defense.

“Early in the game, we were trying to run some passing offense, but they did good job jumping into the passing lanes.  We had a lot of tipped balls, and we weren’t executing our passes, or receiving our passes.  We went to dribble stuff in the second half, and all of them were good.  But we just weren’t as effective early in the game with the passing stuff,” Moore said.

The Bobcats fought hard and showed a lot of resilience throughout the game.  In an exciting second half, the momentum shifted for both teams.  The game saw five ties and three lead changes.

St. Francis awoke and opened the second half by going on a 9-0 scoring run.  The Terriers took over the lead as Ousmane Drame (Boston, Mass.) was stripped of the ball and the Terriers scored on an uncontested fast break.  Drame ended the game with seven points and six rebounds.

During the final seconds, both teams scrambled for possession as St. Francis tried to hold off the Bobcats, and the Bobcats tried to take the game from the Terriers.  The game came down to a last second missed shot by Evan Conti (Bayside, N.Y.).  Conti ended the game with six points and six rebounds.

Moore recognizes that his team is far from where it would like to be at this point in the season.

“I had a feeling that a lot of our games would be played out similar to this game in the sense that we still haven’t found our rhythm, that’s the best way to put it,” Moore said.  “Different games it’s been different things.  Sometimes it’s been three pointers, sometimes it’s been free throws, and sometimes it’s been turnovers.  Tonight it was free throws.”

Quinnipiac is now 11-13 all time against the Terriers dating back to the 2005-06 season.  St. Francis swept the season series last season.  However, the Bobcats defeated the Terriers, 80-72, in the NEC Quarterfinals.

The next game for the Bobcats will be on Saturday, Jan. 5 as they host LIU Brooklyn at the T.D. Bank Sports Arena.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.