Post Tagged with: " Men’s Basketball "

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

In its first nationally-televised game of the season, the Quinnipiac men’s basketball team looked to leave a strong impression on the fans watching across the country.

And led by big games from Zaid Hearst and Ousmane Drame, the Bobcats scored big in a conference win over Manhattan.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, Quinnipiac’s defeated Manhattan 73-59 Friday night on ESPNU.

“That was a big win against an opponent we have a lot of respect for,” Moore said. “We have got a lot of guys sacrificing right now, so to get wins over respected opponents is important.”

Drame recorded 12 points, 4 blocks and 19 rebounds in the win. Hearst, meanwhile, led Quinnipiac’s charge offensively by scoring 23 points in the victory.

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle               Hearst goes up for the layup over the Manhattan defender

The double-double was Drame’s 14th of the season, which is tied for tops in the nation.

“[Ous] was great, he’s got everything,” Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore said. “He is in a good place right now. He’s not perfect, but when he plays with that energy level it’s inspiring. If his energy level is like that, his numbers will always follow.”

Emmy Andujar recorded 25 points and 12 rebounds for Manhattan, while Ashton Pankey had 18 points on the night.

“Andujar is a tough match up,” Drame said, “He is a three, two, and he plays the four position, he’s like a point forward. Strong, big bodied, overall he was a tough match up for us.”

The Jaspers remained in a smothering press defense on Quinnipiac all night, keeping the game close until the final minutes.

“We made a few dumb turnovers early in the second half trying to beat the press,” Hearst said. “But we did a good job adjusting, and figuring out how to beat their press and put up some points.”

After the game, Moore also spoke of how important point guard Kasim Chandler was in beating the Jaspers’ press.

“I know Kaz had the five turnovers but I loved his demeanor. We don’t win tonight if we don’t have his confidence in the full court,” Moore said. “You come at that guy in the open court, and he’s getting by you.”

Freshman Chaise Daniels contributed for the Bobcats with 11 points and three big blocks. Senior Evan Conti also added 12 points of his own off of the bench.

“Evan was great, you talk about a confident kid who never loses his will,” Moore said. “He’s had a tough stretch. He lost his starting spot, his minutes have been reduced, and I have him on a short leash, but he was ready in big spots.”

The Bobcats, now 11-8 on the season, square off with MAAC rivals Canisus (11-7) on Friday at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo N.Y.

By Jordan Novack, Staff Writer                 Link to Original

Those in attendance at the TD Bank Sports Center on Saturday night for the Connecticut 6 Classic game between Quinnipiac and Yale got just what was advertized: a classic.

Lead by a career-high 35 points and 11 rebounds from senior captain Zaid Hearst and 13 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks from senior Ousmane Drame, the Bobcats defeated the Bulldogs 89-85 in double overtime at Lender Court.

“Actions speak louder than words, and I have named one captain in all seven of my years [at Quinnipiac],” Quinnipiac head coach Tom Moore said. “He played 49 minutes of a 50-minute game and still looks like the freshest guy out there. I hold him up on a pedestal. We have never had a kid who wants to win as much as Zaid Hearst, ever.”

For Hearst, performing in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 at The Bank had a huge effect on the outcome of the game.

“It was a great feeling having the student body and all of the fans out and supporting us,” Hearst said. “It was a big reason why we won tonight.”

Quinnipiac trailed 40-38 at halftime, despite 17 points from Hearst. Yale was led by point guard Javier Duren in the first 20 minutes, as he scored 18 points while Justin Sears added 10.

Following the break, Drame lead the way for Quinnipiac defensively, blocking five shots in the second half alone. Hearst scored 12 second-half points, while holding Sears to just two second-half points on the other end.

The Bulldogs, though, wouldn’t go down without a fight. Drame hit a shot to tie the game with 23 seconds left, and then blocked a shot with six seconds left to send things into overtime.

“[Drame is] at 75 percent of what he will be in two to three weeks coming off the meniscus,” Moore said. “He just needs to shake off a little bit more rust and learn to trust it a little bit more, which for some athletes, can be the toughest thing.”

Hearst missed a shot at the end of regulation, which sent things into overtime.

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle

Nick Solari|Quinnipiac Chronicle                          Hearst drives towards the net with a defender in tow

During overtime, Moore elected to play senior Justin Harris.

“I had been sitting behind some of the best competition in Quinnipiac history in Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame,” Harris said. “And after playing against that tough of competition day in and day out, when you finally get an opportunity it feels great to finally go out there and make a contribution.”

Harris played 20 important minutes, scoring 12 points and grabbing two rebounds.

Moore spoke of how Harris impressed him, and how it could impact his plans in the future.

“He earned a ton of trust from the head coach going into Tuesday‘s game against La Salle,” Moore said. “It was a really big night for him, and he really needed it.”

Following the game, NBA’s all-time three point field goal leader Ray Allen paid the Bobcats a special visit.

Quinnipiac hosts La Salle at the TD Bank Sports Center on Tuesday.