The Quinnipiac women’s basketball team suffered a devastating 78-60 loss against the conference’s third-ranked Siena Saints. This marks their first loss to Siena since Feb. 21, 2021, where they were bested 63-60.

In the loss, head coach Tricia Fabbri had lots of praise for the team’s defensive efforts.

“We’ve been really working defensively in different schemes. We’ve got to take some real pride in our defensive effort, getting stops and just not fouling and giving up easy buckets.” 

After starting 3-0 in conference play this season, Quinnipiac has hit a rough patch, going a measly 1-5 in their last six MAAC games.

“Be better through this,” said Fabbri. “[We need to] handle the hard better…Let’s handle our business better and what we can control, regardless of who we don’t have the services of right now.”

With players like senior forward Tiera White and sophomore forward Ella O’Donnell inactive, first-year forward Anna Foley was the main paint presence. However, Siena played suffocating defense and held Foley to 2-14 from the field with five turnovers as well. She finished with nine points, ten rebounds and two steals in the losing effort.

“We lost our cool and our execution and just started throwing the ball down the gym to try and make a play for no good reason,” Fabbri said. “We need to make that growth in staying organized together.”

Fabbri also noted that the team must play together on a more consistent basis for the Bobcats to get back on track offensively.

“Let’s make the pass, that leads to the play that makes the best offense,” Fabbri said.

For the Saints, senior guard Ahniysha Jackson led the scoring with 20 points on 7-16 shooting. Sophomore guard Teresa Seppala and junior forward Anajah Brown also chipped in with 17 and 14 points respectively.

On the bright side for the Bobcats, first-year guard Maria Kealy tossed in 13 points, a new career high for her at the collegiate level.

“She’s making the step, and we need it,” Fabbri said of Kealy. “She’s doing everything humanly possible.”

Another bright spot for the Bobcats was first-year guard Ava Sollenne, who led Quinnipiac with 15 points, as well as two assists and a steal.

“She has a real spirit and tenacity about her game,” Fabbri said of Sollenne. “She plays really fearless, and you’ve seen her take advantage of an incredible opportunity, and we need it.

Quinnipiac will look to get back in the win column on Feb. 1 as they’ll travel to Marist for a 7 p.m. matchup.