The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team (5-3 overall, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) looks to obtain their sixth consecutive win this Saturday, as they welcome the Princeton Tigers (5-2 overall, 0-0 Ivy League) to Hamden, Connecticut. This match up will be the first time the Bobcats have faced an Ivy League opponent since losing to Harvard during the 2014-2015 season.
Players to Watch
Quinnipiac – Paula Strautmane
Junior forward Paula Strautmane is coming off a dominant performance in Quinnipiac’s most recent victory over Providence. Leading the way with 15 points, five steals, and five assists, this contribution led to a statement win over the Friars 62-36. Strautmane has scored in double digits in four of the last five Bobcat wins. However, while playing Princeton, her primary focus will need to be on the defensive end, having the task of guarding Tiger’s 6-foot-4 forward Bella Alarie.
Princeton – Bella Alarie
Returning for the Tigers is Ivy League Rookie of the Year, sophomore forward Bella Alarie. As a freshmen Alarie led the Tigers in scoring (12.6 points per game), rebounding (8.0 rebounds per game), and in total blocks (51 on the year). In her most recent performance, Alarie recorded her 11th career double-double, registering 14 points and 12 rebounds. Just over 30 games into her collegiate tenure, she is just three points shy of totaling 500 career points.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac – Next Man up Mentality
As injuries currently plague the Bobcats with Sarah Shewan and Vanessa Udoji sidelined, any player must be ready to go at any time. Even Strautmane momentarily left Wednesday’s game after hitting her head on the court in midst of the fourth quarter. Head Coach Tricia Fabbri commented on her team’s defensive performance saying, “They have tremendous focus and know how to play together.” The Bobcats will need to continue with high energy as a unit on the defensive end if they want to hold off a Princeton team averaging just less than 70 points per game.
Princeton – Playing with all their stripes
Although going 16-14 overall last season, the Tigers enter this year with major depth. Not only returning 10 players, but having added four freshmen, two that have already received accolades of Ivy League Rookie of the Week (Carlie Littlefield and Abby Meyers). This team’s strength is not just in one player, but the chemistry between them all. They receive production from the top of the totem pole to the bottom. Nonetheless, Quinnipiac still faces a major challenge in defending the offensive powerhouse of Alarie, as she is averaging 17 or more points.
The Game
To hear live coverage, be sure to tune into @QBSN’s broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Princeton at 1 p.m. from the TD Bank Sports Center. On the call will be Ryan Chichester and Robyn Brown, follow them on Twitter: @ryanchichester1 and @RobynNBrown_.
