The No. 1 Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s basketball team (28-3, 20-0 MAAC) still have the memory of last year’s loss in the MAAC Championship game floating in the back of their minds.

They did not want to suffer the same fate today.

The top-seeded Bobcats took on the No. 9 Monmouth Hawks (13-17, 8-12 MAAC) for the third time this year. The Bobcats won by a score of 82-61, and although it was their smallest margin of victory against the Hawks this season, every win in March counts.

Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri led her team to an undefeated conference record in just their second year in the MAAC, and after the game, Fabbri had nothing to complain about.

“I thought it was a great way to start our postseason MAAC Championship,” Fabbri said. “I was really pleased with our composure, energy and effort to start.”

Senior point guard Gillian “Boo” Abshire was one of the big pieces behind Quinnipiac’s quick start. She is not known as an aggressive shooter, but today, she held the hot hand. She buried two three-pointers in the first minute, which jumpstarted the Bobcats’ offense and helped them build a quick 10-0 lead.

“I think since I’m such a passer, a lot of teams forget about me,” Abshire said. “So when I get the opportunity to shoot I just kind of tell myself to just let it fly and be confident.”

When the Bobcats’ starters were on the hardwood in the first half, they outscored the Hawks 33-5. The Bobcats shot a crisp 7 of 17 from behind the arc, and 10 of 12 from the free throw line.

The Hawks had no answer for the Bobcats’ offense in the first half, and aside from an 11-5 run to open the second half, the Bobcats dominated the full 40 minutes.

During the Hawks’ run they managed to cut the lead to 11, but the Bobcats quickly regrouped, and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. Abshire led the way with a season-high 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting to go along with four boards and eight assists. After the game, Abshire said that a lot to do with shooting the ball [successfully] is in the mind.

“I just want to win,” Abshire said. “I know I only have a few more games left with this jersey on, so I’m just going to give it my all mentally and physically.”

Abshire and the Bobcats are now 3-1 in MAAC tournament play since joining the new conference, but after losing in the championship game to Marist last season, they are not taking anything for granted, no matter who the opponent is.

“There’s no more easy games in March,” Fabbri said.

Quinnipiac will face Siena in the semifinals on Sunday at 11 a.m. for a chance to advance to the MAAC Championship.