The Quinnipiac men’s basketball team got its first win in their home opener 71-44 against Division III Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Center Paul Otieno racked up a 14-point double-double in the win.
The game started close with WPI having a 7-4 lead in the early minutes but the Bobcats offense woke up in the second half, where the team would spark with a 22-0 run.
Head Coach Tom Pecora was happy with the win but acknowledged, “There’s just a few things that we’re gonna have to work on.”
Things were very tight in the first half. WPI had a slim early lead of 7-4 and Quinnipiac sharpshooter Ryan Mabrey had to sit out with two fouls.
After a media timeout, the Bobcats woke up. Playmaker Savion Lewis would knock down an open three and right after that, sophomore Khaden Bennett would get an and-one to get the team rolling.
Head Coach Tom Pecora was pleased saying, “Khaden Bennett was really good in the minutes he gave us.”
Bennett has already expanded into a bigger role very early into the season. Last year, he only averaged just under seven minutes, but he has doubled the amount of game time this year. He would finish with ten points on the day.
Bennett spoke on his role this season saying, “I think I put a lot of work in to be able to come in and have that type of role. I just want to play team ball and do what I can to help the team win.”
The game was neck-and-neck until about 12 minutes into the first half when first-year Jaden Zimmerman started to heat up. Savion Lewis found Zimmerman twice with great off-ball movement, allowing him to finish at the rim uncontested and giving Quinnipiac a 29-17 lead. Zimmerman would finish with 13 points.
This gave the Bobcats their biggest lead of the game at the time. As the half was coming to a close Quinnipiac had a 14-point lead but a three-pointer by WPI’s Will Barton would give Quinnipiac an 11-point margin, going into halftime up 41-30.
Out of the break, Quinnipiac looked like the preseason No.1 team in the MAAC. Ryan Mabrey, who only played three minutes in the first half due to his high foul count, would immediately knock down two threes.
Once again, Quinnipiac would benefit from a media timeout. A 22-0 run stated when Jayden Zimmerman made an athletic play at the rim, followed up with a three-pointer. The Bobcats would hold a 69-39 lead, increasing the gap to 30 points. WPI would close the gap but Quinnipiac’s lead was too strong to spark a comeback.
Quinnipiac got their first win of the season but they have their biggest test of the season coming up on Saturday against Big East foe, St. John’s.
Head Coach Tom Pecora is looking forward to the matchup saying, “I grew up miles from there. I used to walk to the games and it’s a great environment. Coach [Rick] Pitino and I are good friends and it was nice of them to do this for us especially early in the year.”
Their next home game will be on November 15 against the Maine Black Bears where they will unveil their 2023-2024 MAAC Regular Season Championship banner.
