ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – In the opening round of the 2024 MAAC Championship on Tuesday afternoon in Atlantic City, the No. 7 Quinnipiac women’s basketball team defeated No. 10 St. Peter’s 68-63 to advance to the quarterfinals.
“To win in the postseason and winning in March, we all know, is really difficult,” head coach Tricia Fabbri said. “It’s survive and advance, and we’re real good at surviving.”
The Bobcats were able to turn defense into offense all afternoon long, turning the Peacocks over time and time again in transition right from the opening tip. First year guard Karson Martin headlined the defensive attack with a career high five steals.
“Beating a team three times is very hard so we knew it was win or go home, well, we’re not going home so we had to go out and throw the first punch and it paid off,” Martin said.
Martin finished the game 18 points, the most she’s scored since mid-January. She was one of four players who finished in double figures for the Bobcats. Fellow first year guard Ava Sollenne led the team with 19 points and a career high six three pointers.
“I get a lot of confidence from my coaches to keep shooting,” Sollenne said. “I get the green light.”
Right out of the gate Quinnipiac was on fire from the field. The Bobcats scored 22 points in the first quarter on 53% shooting and 60% from three. Martin had seven points in the first period alone and junior forward Grace LaBarge had five. LaBarge finished with 10 points and five key free throws.
The final Bobcat in double figures was first year forward Anna Foley, who also had 10 points. Foley fouled out with just over a minute left in overtime after logging a career high 38 minutes of action. Sollenne and Martin each played the entire 45 minutes, also career highs.
“To be out there the whole game is such an amazing opportunity and I don’t think either of us would want it any other way,” Sollenne said. “We’re really lucky to be able to be doing this, especially in the tournament.”
Even if they had some fatigue, the Bobcats fought through it and were still making shots. Sollenne hit two key three pointers early on in overtime to give her team a jolt and LaBarge and Martin hit their free throws late to secure the victory.
“The amount of practices and workouts we’ve had outside of our scheduled spots, we’re really conditioned and ready for moments like these,” Martin said.
With the team plagued by injuries all season, such as junior guard Jackie Grisdale being ruled out for the season with a lower body injury back in December and first year guard Maria Kealy missing over a month with a back injury, having sophomore forward Ella O’Donnell back in the rotation gives Fabbri more depth for the postseason.
“Our season has been challenging with injuries and having to adjust quite a bit,” Fabbri said.
With the format of the MAAC Championship, the Bobcats will have a quick turnaround and play again tomorrow afternoon in the quarterfinal round against the No. 2 seed Niagara. The Bobcats lost both of their meetings with the Purple Eagles, but both contests went to overtime.
“I feel like our preparation and our scheduling, along with what we’ve done all season to this point, that we’ll be able to withstand the physical challenges and not get mentally weak,” Fabbri said.
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. at Boardwalk Hall with the winner advancing to the semi-finals on Friday.
