By Brian Farrell, QBSN Staff Writer
Quinnipiac (11-2, 2-0 NEC) defeated St. Francis Brooklyn 73-52 (4-9, 1-1 NEC) Monday night. Sophomore Jasmine Martin led the way for the Bobcats scoring 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Three starters, including Martin, scored double digits points. Felicia Barron added 13 points while Samantha Gaustella scored 11 with eight rebounds.
Cameryn Warner provided the help off the bench with seven points and seven boards.
The game remained close late in the first half when Quinnipiac led by just four points with 3:40 to play. Stellar play across the board led the Bobcats to a 26-2 that continued into the second half. Martin knocked down three straight 3-pointers during that stretch to turn the game into a blowout.
Despite a dominating performance in the second half, Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri was prepared for a St. Francis Brooklyn team that has already shown its ability to compete in the Northeast Conference.
“[St. Francis Brooklyn] is a team that just knocked off Sacred Heart on their home court, and when you only have one day to prepare, it is tough,” Fabbri said.
The Terriers started the game hot from behind the arc hitting 60 percent from downtown in the first 10 minutes.
“The percentage evened out as the game went on but we were switching and we were getting stuck in the hole which is what we call help defense,” Fabbri said. “So we just played no switch and we were able to lock them up and get some good transition.”
Jaymee Veney and Sarah Benedetti combined to go 7-for-9 from 3-point range for the Terriers.
Even with a big lead late in the game Quinnipiac head coach Fabbri wasn’t afraid to keep some of her starters in.
“They pull for each other and they want each other to be successful. They were just happy that the team
that was in getting the job done on the offensive end and the defensive end,” Fabbri said. “We aren’t taking the foot off the gas pedal regardless of the time or score in a game. There is an opportunity in a game for us to always get better.”
The Bobcats resume action on Saturday when they host Sacred Heart at 12 p.m. at Lender Court at the TD Bank Sports Center.