By Ben Dias, QBSN Staff Writer
Last Thursday’s game clinching fade-away jumper with 13 seconds remaining against NEC rival Robert Morris, will surely be remembered by Evan Conti (Bayside, N.Y). The sophomore guard poured in a career-high 18 points and shot 7-for-11 from the field.
“There’s not another player I would rather have take that shot right now,” Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore said. “He thinks he’s a lot better player than he is, and that’s awesome,” Moore said with a smile. “He keeps coming at you.”
Conti has been on a tear lately, reaching double-figures in each of the last five games. He is averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the stretch. In 17 career starts for the Bobcats, Conti is averaging 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
On Saturday, Conti nearly notched a triple double in a 71-55 rout of St. Francis University. He finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, including a big second half with 10 points and five assists.
“I try to just get better,” Conti said. “Last year it was all new to me, I really enjoyed the journey and being a part of the team. This year I’m just trying to continue to stay consistent, and really be a force. My hard work is paying off.”
For the season, Conti is averaging 8.3 points per game, shooting 42.1 from the field, including 40.3 from beyond the arc. The New York native is also adding 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He has a team-high 27 3-pointers.
“Coach Moore and the coaching staff told me that I can come here and do things that most people don’t think I can do,” Conti said. “Him telling me that a while ago, I keep replaying that in the back of my head, saying he gave me this opportunity, this chance, and I just want to pay him back by playing as hard as I can and take every opportunity like it’s the last.”
Thanks to Conti’s hot-streak, the Bobcats remain just one game out of first place in the standings. Winners in four straight and six of their last seven, the Bobcats return to the court on Thursday night with a key intra-state contest at Sacred Heart (9-15, 7-6 NEC). Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
