November 23, 2008

Game #4

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (3-0) vs.

Michigan State Spartans (4-0)

Sunday, November 23, 2008 – 3 p.m.

Patrick Gymnasium – Burlington, Vt.

Sunday's Game

The Bobcats and Spartans square off in the TD Banknorth Classic Championship Game Sunday afternoon. Quinnipiac earned a spot in the final game by defeating tournament-host Vermont, 72-53, Saturday. Michigan State survived an overtime thriller with Dartmouth, 60-52, in the day's second game. Freshman Felicia Barron (Springfield, Mass.) led the way for the Bobcats, scoring 17 points off the bench. Four players in total scored in double figures for Quinnipiac against the Catamounts. This is the first-ever meeting between the Bobcats and Spartans.

Leading the Way
Barron's 17 points off the bench eclipsed her previous season high of 14 set against Stony Brook in the season-opening win. The freshman guard scored 10 of the Bobcats' final 12 first-half points as she scored 15 in the opening stanza against the Catamounts.

Double Digits

Joining Barron in double-digit scoring were Mandy Pennewell (West Chester, Pa.), Erin Kerner (Erie, Pa.) and Sarah McGowan (Red Lion, Pa.). Pennewell and McGowan each finished with 15 points, while Kerner added 12. Thirteen of Pennewell's points came in the second half.

She's On Fire
McGowan came off the bench to score 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor. The junior forward also finished a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range, while adding a key steal on a crucial defensive stop as the Bobcats put the game away late in the second half.

Defense Wins Games

This season the Bobcats have held opponents to an average of 53.3 points per game. Against Vermont, the Bobcats held the 2008 America East Player of the Year and current Player of the Week Courtnay Pilypaitis to just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting and just two points in the second half. It was the first time that Pilypaitis has been held under 10 points in a game since Mar. 14, 2008 against the University of New Hampshire and just the ninth time in her three-year career.

Double Defense

Quinnipiac had four players in double digits in scoring against Vermont, but have only allowed four opposing players to score 10 or more points this season. Alissa Sheftic's 10 points for Vermont Saturday were the third highest individual point total against the Bobcats this season. Brown's Karly Grace and Christina Johnson each had 15 points in the Bobcats' 79-62 win on Nov.16.

Leading From the Back
Senior co-captain Brianna Rooney (Guilford, Conn.) leads the Bobcats this season with 11 assists. Her four against the Catamounts were a team-high, while also adding two steals. Rooney is second on the team in rebounds this year, averaging 6.0 per game.

From Long Range

The Bobcats were able to capitalize on the big shot against Vermont as they hit 10 three-point field goals in the game. McGowan and Pennewell each had three three-pointers, while Barron and Kerner had two apiece. Quinnipiac doubled its previous high of five set against Brown on Nov. 16.

Stop the Starters
Quinnipiac's defense held the Vermont starting five to just 26 points, while the Bobcats' bench outscored the Catamounts' reserves, 36-27. Barron and McGowan combined for 32 of the team's bench points.