BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius women's basketball team started strong in its conference rematch against Quinnipiac on Sunday, but the Bobcats got hot down the stretch and bested the Griffs, 80-68, at the Koessler Athletic Center. With the loss the Griffs fall to 8-9 overall and 3-5 in MAAC play, while Quinnipiac is no 9-7 and 4-3 in conference action.

It was a tale of two halves for the Blue and Gold as the squad shot an impressive 60 percent from the field in the first, hitting 14-of-25 from the field. Likewise Quinnipiac was stifled by the Canisius defense, hitting 12-of-35 for 34.3 percent. However In the second half fortunes changed as Quinnipiac finished the second half shooting 50 percent fom the field including a stretch spanning from the end of the third quarter and midway through the fourth where the Bobcats shot 14-of-16.

Crystal Porter once again paced the Canisius squad finishing the game with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Margret Halfdanardottir also had a nice game finishing with nine points for the Blue and Gold.

Both Sarah Cooley and Tamara Miskovic finished with five rebounds apiece. Miskovic also led the squad in assists, dishing out six in the contest.

For Quinnipiac, three players led the Bobcats as Aryn McClure notched 19 points and eight rebounds, while Paula Strautmane scored 16 and Brittany Johnson posted 11.

Quinnipiac bested the Griffs in the battle of the Glass, taking down 40 boards to Canisius' 28, including 16 offensive rebounds. The 16 offensive boards led to 20 second-chance points in the contest for the Bobcats. 

Canisius started the game strong, outscoring Quinnipiac 17-12 in the opening frame, shooting 63 percent (7-of-11). However In the second quarter, Quinnipiac started to gain some traction in its offensive game, outscoring Canisius by a slim 22-21 margin, as the Blue and Gold took a 38-34 lead into halftime.

The second half proved to be the difference as 46 of the teams 80 points came in the final two stanzas, while Canisius couldn't keep pace, scoring 30 in the final two quarters.

The Griffs continue conference play next weekend, when the squad heads to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on Siena on Friday and Fairfield, Conn., to play the Stags on Sunday. Game times are slated for 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.