The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team took on the Hartford Hawks and won 62-4 on Wednesday night.
Despite their offensive play, the Bobcats had something to pride themselves with defensively: they forced 30 turnovers. Senior forward Brittany McQuain (Independence, Mo.), whose defensive stats included seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks, made it clear that they completed their game plan for the night.
“Going into the game, the emphasis was completely on defense,” she said. “We haven’t been very good on defense this year. That’s what we talked about and worked on in practice.”
Junior guard Boo Abshire mirrored McQuain’s emphasis on defense.
“We pride ourselves on that, for sure,” she said. “In order to do well again this year, that’s what we need to focus on.”
In the first half, both teams had different offensive woes. Hartford gave away 17 of 30 turnovers, missing its average turnover per game margin by two, just in that half. Abshire had four steals in the defensive effort. Yet the Hawks had their best shooting half of their season, hitting half of the shots they were able to get off. On the other side of the ball, Quinnipiac had what was their worst shooting half of the season, shooting 10-33. However, the Bobcats managed to pull away with a lead after consecutive blocks from Samantha Guastella (Red Bank, N.J.) and McQuain sparked a 13-2 run. Excessive fouling also kept Hartford away from the lead, as Quinnipiac shot 13-14 from the line. Quinnipiac led at the half, 38-30.
The second half was much of the same from both teams. Quinnipiac shot worse in the second half (8-34), surpassing the already paltry first half shooting. And yet, Hartford was unable to pull out a win. The Hawks never got within more than five points of the Bobcats, even at the point where Quinnipiac missed ten straight shot attempts.
Hartford freshman Deanna Mayza mounted a close rally, converting a 3-point play and hitting a three to try to keep her team in the game, but to no avail. Mayza finished with 13 points, as well as eight turnovers.
The game finished with Quinnipiac in control, as Jasmine Martin on a cold shooting night hit her three, one of only two baskets she made, to put Quinnipiac ahead by eight and put the game out of reach for Hartford.
Head coach Tricia Fabbri was very happy with her team’s defensive effort, saying that the improved defense was what the team needs to continue to succeed for the rest of the season.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but you can win games when you defend,” she said. “Two weeks ago we wouldn’t have won this game because we were putting the ball in the bucket, but we weren’t stopping anyone.”
Quinnipiac plays perennial strength Marist in its first MAAC contest ever on Friday at home. Fabbri is excited for the opportunity.
“Welcome to the MAAC. Baptism by fire,” she said. “See the best at home, we need a good work day tomorrow, and we need it to come together for 40 minutes.”
