Despite an impressive three game winning streak at the People’s United Center for the Bobcats, the Brown University Bears were just too much to handle, as Quinnipiac lost 72-61 on Sunday.

Looking to bounce back after a 84-69 loss on the road to the University of New Hampshire, Quinnipiac looked to prevent its first back-to-back loss of the young season, but to no avail.

Brown, a part of the Ivy League who did not play last season due to Covid-19, was able to defend well against the Bobcats 3-point shooting, holding them to 6-22 (27.3%) from downtown.

“I think their defense is statistically incredible,” Quinnipiac coach Baker Dunleavy said. “I just thought they were heavily contested.”

Brown also cleaned the boards efficiently with 36 rebounds led by seniors David Mitchell and Jaylan Gainey. Scoring was led by first-year guard Kino Lilly Jr., who converted seven of his 11 shots from the field combined with six free throws for 24 points. Mitchell and Lilly Jr. also recorded two steals each along with sophomore guard Kimo Ferrari, and first-year forward Nana Owusu-Anane.

For the Bobcats, graduate forward Jacob Rigoni led the team in scoring with 15 points, 12 coming from 3-point range. The only other Bobcat to score a 3-point shot was senior guard Tyrese Williams, who ended the night with eight points. Graduate forward Kevin Marfo also had an impressive game ending with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Between both teams, there were a combined 43 turnovers. Dunleavy believed that it was the formidable Brown defense that helped cause the changes of possession. 

“I wouldn’t say scheduling, just based off habits against a really defensive team,” Dunleavy said.

Today also saw an increase of minutes for Quinnipiac junior forward Elias King, who scored seven points off the bench. 

“Elias is a guy I thought that played really well last year for us when he was available… and I felt that he had really good practices,” Dunleavy said.

The Bobcats look to bounce back from consecutive losses in an inter-conference matchup against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at People’s United Center on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.