Quinnipiac came back from a 12-point deficit in the second half to tie the game, but fell in overtime to Big East foe Seton Hall Sunday, 69-64, in the championship game of the San Diego Surf N’ Slam. The loss snaps Quinnipiac’s eight game win streak, and their overall record falls to 9-2. With the victory, Seton Hall also goes to 9-2.

The Bobcats were led by senior Monique Lee (Lynn, Mass.), who picked up her third double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Juniors Brianna Rooney and Mandy Pennewell also added 17 points apiece for Quinnipiac.

Rooney and Pennewell were both named to the All-Tournament team. Seton Hall junior Noteisha Womack won tournament MVP honors after a 26 point, 18 rebound performance against the Bobcats.

The two teams appeared evenly matched at the start of the game, with Seton Hall building a 15-10 lead at the 14:55 mark after a three-pointer by senior Ela Mukosiej.

Seton Hall gained their largest advantage at 21-10 after a breakaway layup by sophomore Nicole Emery. Then Pennewell went on a run of her own, scoring seven straight points to bring the Bobcats within a single point, 22-21 at the 8:36 mark in the first half.

Rooney made a driving layup to give the Bobcats their first lead of the game, 30-28 with 2:41 remaining in the first half.

Pennewell made the final basket of the half with 40 seconds left, and Quinnipiac went into halftime with a 32-31 lead.

The Bobcats were led in the first half by Pennewell’s 12 points on 5-8 shooting, including 2-2 from three-point range. Lee and Rooney added eight points apiece for Quinnipiac. Womack led all players at halftime with 13 points and five rebounds.

The teams played even for the opening minutes of the second half, but eventully Seton Hall took a 42-38 lead at the 14:50 mark in the second half.

Seton Hall was able to extend their lead to 49-41 at the 11:30 mark on a follow-up jumper by junior Letitia Curry.

The Bobcats were able to cut the deficit to 52-47, but Seton Hall answered with a 6-0 run to bring the score to 58-47, equaling their largest lead of the game.

Rooney connected on a three-pointer with 4:54 to play to bring the Bobcats within eight points at 58-50.

Sophomore Courtney Kaminski (Dudley, Mass.) found Rooney on a back-door cut for a layup with 1:35 left to cut the Seton Hall lead to 60-57.

Kaminski then hit a free-throw line jumper and was fouled with 1:07 left. She completed the three-point play, tying the score at 60-60.

Womack was fouled in the act of shooting after an offensive rebound, and hit two free throws for Seton Hall, putting them ahead 62-60 with 35.9 seconds left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Pennewell missed a baseline jumper with 18.2 seconds left and Seton Hall grabbed the rebound, forcing Quinnipiac to foul.

Since the Bobcats were not over the limit, Seton Hall was forced to inbound the ball and turned it over, giving Quinnipiac the ball with 13 seconds left trailing 62-60.

Rooney drove past her defender and scooped in a layup with 5.8 seconds remaining, knotting the score at 62.

Seton Hall chose not to call timeout and a Curry jumpshot came up short, sending the game to overtime.

Quinnipiac was unable to secure defensive rebounds in the overtime period, and Seton Hall built a 67-63 lead. A Pennewell free throw cut the deficit to 67-64 with 24.1 seconds left to play in overtime.

After Pennewell missed a baseline jumper, the Bobcats fouled Seton Hall’s Ebonie Williams with 10.6 seconds left and the freshman connected on both shots, giving Seton Hall the final 69-64 margin.

Quinnipiac continues play January 5th, when the head back to Hamden, Conn. to take on Northeast Conference opponent Robert Morris University. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Box Score

Season Stats