On a cold, rainy Thursday night in Hamden, Mikala Morris’ double-double helped the Quinnipiac women’s basketball team defeat the Marist Red Foxes 61-50. 

Marist got off to a hot start, making nine of its first 16 shots from the floor, led by junior guard Trinasia Kennedy, who finished with 17 points on the night. 

The Bobcats were hit with a major injury early on, as Maryland native and leading scorer Mackenzie DeWees was forced out of the game with an apparent leg injury. 

With DeWees out for the rest of the night and Marist on the attack early, Quinnipiac was down 21-15 after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Bobcats crept back into the game due to big time contributions from senior guard Amani Free, who finished with 12 points and junior Mikala Morris, who recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds.

With two key players stepping up when they needed them most, Quinnipiac only trailed Marist by two going into halftime, 31-29.  

 “I am finding my confidence again and this game really helped me,” Morris said. “I just think I need to make the game come to me more and not focus on just scoring but rebounding as well.”

The Bobcats and Red Foxes remained neck and neck throughout the third quarter, but Morris put Quinnipiac in the lead for good with a driving layup as she received a beautiful pass from senior guard Rose Caverly. Quinnipiac led 43-41 heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Bobcats took control of the final quarter of play, outscoring the Red Foxes 18-9, securing their fifth win in a row and 13th of the season. 

Head coach Tricia Fabbri credited her team’s depth and handling of adversity during a tough stretch regarding injuries.

“Through the tough times… champions are made out of these moments,” Fabbri said. “I feel like we are thriving in the tough times, and I think we are developing an incredible toughness.” 

The Bobcats will look to win their sixth consecutive game on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. as they travel to New Jersey to take on the Monmouth Hawks.