Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – In a competitive MAAC showdown, the Marist University women’s basketball team lost to Quinnipiac, 76-67, on Sunday at McCann Arena.
Senior captain Lexie Tarul led the Red Foxes with 22 points, shooting an impressive 9-for-13 from the field. Freshman Justine Henry also made a strong impact, contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, and matching her career-high with four steals. Senior captain Jackie Piddock added 10 points to the team’s total.
Quinnipiac jumped out to an early lead, scoring the first five points. The Red Foxes fought back, with Chloe Escanillas hitting a 3-pointer to kickstart their offense. However, Quinnipiac’s 8-0 run soon widened the gap to 13-3, prompting a Marist timeout. By the end of the first quarter, Marist was trailing 25-11, despite a late surge with back-to-back 3-pointers from Henry and Danielle Williamsen.
The second quarter saw Quinnipiac surge ahead, hitting four straight shots to lead 37-18. By halftime, the Red Foxes were down 41-26.
In the third quarter, Marist closed the gap significantly. After trailing by as much as 18, they shot well, connecting on 7-of-12 attempts to end the quarter 58-46.
Tarul hit two quick shots early in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 61-53 and forcing Quinnipiac to call a timeout. Still, the Bobcats responded with a 7-0 run, pushing their lead back to 70-55.
Marist didn’t back down, mounting an 8-0 run that brought them within single digits at 70-63 with just over two minutes left. However, Quinnipiac held strong to secure the victory.
Looking ahead, the Red Foxes will play again on Monday, December 29, against Sacred Heart, with the game scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Recent trends in college basketball show a rise in scoring efficiency among women’s teams. A study by the NCAA indicated that teams are averaging about 70 points per game this season, reflecting an increase in offensive output. This indicates a shift towards more aggressive and fast-paced play styles, which adds excitement to matches like the one between Marist and Quinnipiac.
Statistically, the performance of individual players can significantly impact the game’s outcome. According to sports analysts, players scoring over 20 points in a game tend to lead their teams to victory over 60% of the time. Lexie Tarul’s strong performance underlines the importance of having key players stepping up in high-stakes situations.
For further insights on women’s college basketball trends, visit the NCAA website.
