QU Women Top CCSU

Felicia Barron finished with a game-high 25 points on Monday night as the Quinnipiac University women's basketball team held on for an 82-73 victory over Central Connecticut State University on Lender Court at the TD Bank Sports Center.

With the win, the Bobcats improved to 17-2 overall and now own the best start to a season in program history.

Quinnipiac, now 8-0 in the NEC and winners of nine straight games, was led by a tremendous offensive effort from its senior leader. Barron went 10-of-19 from the floor, grabbed three rebounds and dished out a pair of helpers.

In addition to Barron, the Bobcats featured nine other players in the scoring column. Jasmine Martin chipped in with nine points, Ellen Cannon added eight, and Lisa Lebak, Brittany McQuain and Nikoline Ostergaard all finished with seven points.

Quinnipiac gained control from the opening whistle and never surrendered a lead in the first half. The Bobcats opened their largest lead with 6:55 left, 26-18, when Maria Napolitiano connected on a deep three-pointer from the wing. The Bobcats, led by nine points from Barron, carried a 33-28 advantage into the locker rooms at halftime.

After the break, CCSU raced out on a 9-2 run which resulted in its first lead of the contest. That surge was followed by seven of the next 10 points – opening a five point lead, 43-38, with 16:36 remaining in regulation.

Resilient and poised, Quinnipiac hung around and chipped away at its first second-half deficit since Dec. 16 (at Hartford). Trailing by one, Ostergaard knocked down a three and sparked a 10-0 run - which was capped off by Cannon's second trifecta of the game. Up by nine, Quinnipiac held on in the waning minutes for its eighth win at the Bank this season.

For the game, both teams shot around 40 percent from the floor, 44 percent from behind the arc and 73 percent from the free-throw line. CCSU had 14 turnovers compared to 13 from the Bobcats, but rebounding may have proved to be the difference. Quinnipiac edged the Blue Devils on the glass, 48-43, and converted 19 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points.

Ostergaard accounted for six offensive rebounds, 10 for the game, while Gillian Abshire hauled in a career-high 11 including four on offense. McQuain tallied eight and Warner grabbed six to go along with three blocks.

Jaclyn Babe, CCSU's leading scorer coming into the game, finished with a game-high 30 points on 11-of-22 shooting. Jessica Babe added 11 and Kirsten Daamen finished with 10.

Quinnipiac improved to 28-13 all-time against the Blue Devils, which also includes a 21-7 advantage during the Division I era. The Bobcats are 4-2 in their last five meetings and 5-1 all-time at the Bank.

The Bobcats are back in action on Saturday afternoon at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Spiro Sports Center.

Fans interested in purchasing 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.

Quinnipiac fans should 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 Women'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.