In a game of highs and lows for each team, the Quinnipiac Bobcats lost to the Siena Saints 78-71 Thursday evening, dropping the last seven of nine games. 

Coming off of a nail-biting loss to Marist on Sunday, the Bobcats were looking to rebound against the Saints to move up in the MAAC standings with the conference tournament quickly approaching. 

A common theme for head coach Baker Dunleavy’s squad throughout this slump has not been able to play consistent basketball. 

“Just searching for that complete performance and you have to have that this time of the year,” Dunleavy said. “Portions of that game went our way…just couldn’t get it done down the stretch.”

Throughout the entire game, there were moments of promise as well as signs of weakness for this Bobcats squad, but the biggest Achilles’ heel for the team was the final four minutes of the game. 

“There is nothing that you can think in the last few minutes of the game to change the outcome of the game,” Dunleavy said. “My belief to get it done hasn’t wavered at all.”

While the loss comes in the middle of a losing streak, Dunleavy’s confidence in his team has not changed in the slightest. 

“I believe in my guys wholeheartedly, but we got to really pull ourselves out of a difficult stretch, and no one is going to do it for us,” Dunleavy said.

One of the bright spots to come out of the game for the Bobcats was guard Dezi Jones. The junior from Missouri tied his career-high with 24 points on 10-15 shooting from the field. 

Jones was continuously dogged by bigger, more physically imposing guards throughout the entire game, but Dunleavy was impressed by Jones’ all around play.

“I thought Dezi did a really good job… he’s obviously a talented offensive player,” Dunleavy said. “He is going to have to be a guy who is way more aggressive for us in general…it can make up for other players who might be having an off night.”

The Bobcats also had great offensive production from reigning All-MAAC Rookie Team members Luis Kortright and Tymu Chenery, who contributed with 18 and 16 points, respectively. 

Kortright tallied a season-high in points off of the bench on 7-for-12 shooting in 24 minutes of action. 

Chenery has been a consistent piece to build around as the season wraps up, scoring over 10 points in four straight games. 

The sophomore duo has been providing a young and enthusiastic spark to a team that has been depleted by injuries and late-season struggles. 

The biggest stressor that Dunleavy has for his team heading into the final three games is just being on the same page as the season quickly comes to a close. 

“It’s about our guys and our staff being able to communicate and really believe what we are saying, as opposed to just giving it lip service…it really comes down to believing in what we are talking about,” Dunleavy said.

With the loss to Siena, Quinnipiac currently holds the eight seed in the MAAC heading into their Senior Day matchup on Sunday, Feb. 27 against Canisius inside the People’s United Center starting at 1 p.m.