HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac, who was picked to finish tied for first in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, defeated Niagara 80-66 in a conference contest on Friday afternoon at the TD Bank Sports Center. 

Victoria Rampado paced the Purple Eagles (6-6, 2-1 MAAC) with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and added five rebounds. Despite only playing 14 minutes, Val McQuade also finished with 13 points after shooting 3-for-5 from three-point range while freshman guard Simone Hobdy tallied nine points in the losing effort.

Quinnipiac (11-3, 3-0 MAAC) had three players finish in double-figures. Samantha Guastella finished with a team-high 19 points while Val Driscoll and Jasmine Martin both recorded 11 points.

The Bobcats used a series of runs at the end of the first half to pull away and not look back to earn its eleventh victory of the season.

Niagara opened up with a basket from Rampado off an assist from Sylvia Maxwell to take a 2-0 lead. Quinnipiac countered and both teams battled over the next 13 minutes as the score was tied 21-21 with 7:57 remaining in the first half. Over an eight-minute stretch, the hosts went on a 25-10 run which was fueled by three 3-pointer baskets to end the half with a 46-31 lead. 

NU came out in the second half with four straight points from Rampado to trail 46-35 with 17:30 remaining in the game. Following a 3-pointer from Kelly Van Leeuwen, the Purple Eagles cut into the margin with two good free-throws from Rampado to trail 53-43. From there, however, the Bobcats were able to get their offense rolling again and were able to build their lead back with a 10-3 run.

The Purple Eagles outscored the Bobcats 15-0 in the final six minutes but dropped the 80-66 decision. 

Meghan McGuinness notched a season-best seven rebounds while Kaylee Stroemple recorded seven points, five rebounds and two assists. 
 
Conference play continues for the Purple Eagles on Sunday when NU closes out the weekend with a matchup against the Fairfield Stags at 2:00 p.m.