By Gilbert A. Celaya, QBSN Staff Writer
The Quinnipiac Bobcats (14-10, 7-6 NEC) came out firing on all cylinders on Wednesday night, defeating their rival the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (10-13, 7-6 NEC), 72-44. QU set the tempo early as the Bobcats finished the game with 46.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore attributed the Bobcats win to his team’s defensive performance.
“I’m just happy with our defense and continue to be happy with our defense,” Moore said.
Both teams started the game with high intensity in the first half. The Bobcats played a very up-tempo as they led the Blue Devils by double digits most of the night and took a 34-22 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Bobcats spread the wealth around in the first half as six different players had contributed to putting points on the board for QU.
The Bobcats’ intensity was lead by point guard Dave Johnson (Jackson, N.J.) who continuously drove through the Blue Devils defense for a total of six assists on the night.
“I try to push the ball as much as I can and try to make plays to try to see if I can find someone open for a three, or every now and then dump the ball down to Ike [Azotam],” Dave Johnson said.
QU capitalized on its aggressiveness as the Bobcats outrebounded the Blue Devils 49-30. Sixteen of those rebounds collected by the Bobcats were on offense. Ousmane Drame (Boston, Mass.) led all offensive rebounders with five and also collected three defensive rebounds to finish the night with eight rebounds total. Ike Azotam (Boston, Mass.) also had eight rebounds and Dave Johnson had six rebounds, which helped the Quinnipiac control the boards.
“As long as we play tough, the offense will come and everything else will come from a tough defense,” said Azotam.
In the second half, the Bobcats continued to pressure CCSU. Azotam found a seam in the lane for a jam with eight minutes left in the game. Then Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Md.) was fouled for a three-point play seconds later as he drove to the hoop on a fast break. Hearst finished the game with 10 points and three rebounds.
Central Connecticut State head Coach Howie Dickenman was not very happy with the Blue Devil’s performance.
“That was our worst game of the year, and Quinnipiac made it our worst game of the year,” said Dickenman.
Coach Dickenman went on to describe the somber mood of his team’s locker room after the game.
“We went in and it was like a morgue. We were a very poor basketball team. We played without passion. We played without emotion,” said Dickenman. “Quite honestly, we deserved what we got. I told our team that the highlight of the evening was when the final horn went off, so we could go to our locker room and mend our wounds.”
As CCSU Coach Dickenman mulled over the loss, QU’s head coach continued to rave about the Bobcats' defensive performance.
“It’s one thing for the coach staff to try something, it’s another thing for the kids to buy into it and commit to it. Right now, they are bought in and they are committed, and we’re seeing great results,” Moore said. “So we’re seeing the results in the [opponents] field goal percentage decreasing and were seeing results in the wins/losses which is what the kids need to see.”
These two teams will play each other again this coming weekend as it is the Blue Devils turn to host the Bobcats.
“We just got to keep improving and keep being hungry, stay humble and stay hungry. And if we keep playing defense, the sky’s the limit,” said James Johnson (Queens, N.Y.)
Rivalry Week continues on Sunday, Feb. 12 when Quinnipiac travels to Central Connecticut State University for a noon start time.
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