QU Men’s Basketball Defeats CCSU, 85-78

Quinnipiac University men’s basketball head coach Tom Moore picked up his 100th career win on Thursday night as the Bobcats made it eight straight wins over Central Connecticut with an 85-78 victory at the TD Bank Sports Center. Coach Moore became the fastest coach to win 100 in the Division I era and was the second fastest coach all-time in program history.  

Shaq Shannon was the difference-maker for the Bobcats – as the junior guard poured in 18 points which included six from long-range. He was the first player to hit six threes since James Johnson accomplished the feat back in the 2010-11 season with seven against Bryant. Ike Azotam added 13 points and grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, while fellow front court mate Jamee Jackson chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. Zaid Hearst finished with 17 points making it five straight with at least 10 points. Dave Johnson composed a steady offense with eight assists, four points and three rebounds. 

The game didn’t see more than a six-point separation through the first half and most of the second. However, trailing by one point with 13:08 showing on the clock, Quinnipiac opened up its largest lead of the game with a 16-6 run behind three, threes, two from Shannon, and several easy buckets underneath. The Blue Devils would cut their deficit to three points in the waning minutes, but clutch free-throw shooting in the closing seconds put the game out of reach en route to the historic win.

The two teams matched up very evenly throughout the game; but it was the discrepancy on the boards that granted Quinnipiac the edge it needed. The Bobcats garnered a plus-20 margin on the glass, 51-31 - which also included 17 on offensive end and 15 second chance points. Both teams shot 47 percent from the floor and only combined for 14 turnovers. 

Kyle Vinales, the NEC’s leading scorer, led the Blue Devils with a game-high 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting. Matt Hunter added 13, while Joe Efese and Malcolm McMillan each had 10. 

In a series that dates back to the 1956-57 campaign, wins are beginning to pile up for Quinnipiac. Over the last five seasons, QU has won nine out of the last 10 games and is now riding a seven-game winning streak. 

Prior to tip-off, the Quinnipiac University and Central Connecticut State University Departments of Athletics and Recreation recognized three-time National Champion and former UConn men's basketball head coach Jim Calhoun for his leadership in bringing the entire state of Connecticut the highest level of recognition and success in Division I men's basketball. Quinnipiac and CCSU presented Coach Calhoun with a donation that will go directly to the Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Center. 

The Bobcats will wrap up the fourth week of NEC play on Saturday afternoon against Fairleigh Dickinson. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. with all the action televised live on MSG and FCS. 

Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the 2012-13 campaign can call the QU Ticket Office at 203-582-3905, visit the official website of Quinnipiac athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com or make a trip to the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office.

Please refer to the Official Website of Quinnipiac Athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com, for any schedule changes as well as the latest news, scores and highlights. The 2012-13 Men's Basketball Schedule is also available for download at www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com for all mobile devices, including iPhones and iPads, as well as all desktop computers.