QU women get overwhelmed in first half, remain winless after four games

QUINCY — To borrow from Van Morrison, Courtney Boyd knew there would be days like this.

The Quincy University women’s basketball team shot 23 percent from the field and turned the ball over 13 times to trail 45-17 after the first half, and the Hawks never got closer than 19 points thereafter in a 97-62 loss to Washburn (Kan.) during the second day of the Hansen-Spear Funeral Classic on Saturday afternoon in Pepsi Arena.

QU, which lost four of its top five scorers from last season, has lost its first four games — all at home — by an average of 16.7 points. Saturday’s loss was the worst yet. The Hawks allowed the most points in a single game since losing 100-99 to Illinois-Springfield on Feb. 6, 2021.

“I think you expect it as a new coach,” Boyd said. “There are expectations that you have, there are goals that you have, but coming into a new program at any time, you’re coming in with your own coaching philosophy and trying to get things changed from wherever (the players) came from. They’re doing everything they can to meet those expectations. 

“But it’s really hard at times when the shot doesn’t fall.”

The Hawks, who entered the game shooting 36 percent from the field, missed nine out of their first 11 shots to fall behind 7-0 and 15-4. 

“Making shots helps, because it helps you get in a rhythm,” Boyd said. “Playing defense is hard. It’s hard to get stops when you’re not able to make shots. When we’re able to put the ball in the hole a couple of times and get some energy, it’s easier to get stops.”

Averaging just 58 points through three games, Quincy had its best quarter of the season when it outscored Washburn 29-25 in the third quarter. The offense ran through post players Acheampomaa Danso and Cymirah Williams, who combined for 13 points in the quarter. The Hawks shot 53 percent in the quarter. 

Two free throws by Danso at the 1:40 mark got Quincy within 60-41 — the closest it would get in the second half.

“It’s clear what we’re capable of,” Boyd said. “If we can put up 29 points in a quarter, we can at least put up 29 points in a half. We just need more reps. We need to get in the gym, and we need to shoot the shots that we’re going to get in the game. We need to have confidence in that.”

Danso led Quincy with 16 points. Mariann Blass and Janiece Dawson both scored 10 for the Hawks.

Point guard Aubree Dewey was dominant for the Icahbods (3-1), scoring 17 points while contributing eight assists, six rebounds and four steals. Yiibari Nwidadah also scored 17 points, and five other players scored at least nine points for Washburn.

Quincy begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday at William Jewell.