Last-place Southwest Baptist rallies to defeat QU men, now tied for seventh in GLVC

BOLIVAR, Mo. — The Quincy University men’s basketball team led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held the lead for the first 31 minutes of Saturday’s game.

Once the Hawks lost the lead, they never got it back.

Drew McMillin made a 3-pointer with 9:10 remaining in the game to get Southwest Baptist within one point, then followed with another 3-pointer 21 seconds later to give the Bearcats their first lead on their way to a 65-62 victory over the Hawks in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game at the Meyer Sports Center.

A victory over the team with the GLVC’s worst record would have put the Hawks in a fifth-place tie with William Jewell and Missouri-St. Louis. However, the Bearcats (6-13, 2-9 in the GLVC) ended a seven-game losing streak, and the Hawks (10-9, 5-6 in the GLVC) now are tied for seventh with Maryville and Rockhurst.

Once Southwest Baptist grabbed the lead, Quincy University stayed close. John Kelly’s layup with 6:07 to go got the Hawks within 49-48, and Nate Shockey stole the ball on Southwest Baptist’s ensuing possession. However, he missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Hector David converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Bearcats ahead 52-48.

Shockey missed two free throws at the 5:29 mark, then missed a 3-pointer 42 seconds later. Drenin Denkins’ 3-pointer with 4:31 left put Southwest Baptist ahead 55-48.

Quincy didn’t get closer than four points until 13 seconds remained and Isaiah Foster made two free throws to make the score 62-59. McMillin split a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left, and Shockey made a 3-pointer with four seconds left. Dinkins made two free throws moments later to round out the scoring. 

Mason Wujek came off the bench to lead the Hawks with 14 points. Foster scored 13 points and Kelly added 11. Zion Richardson, the Hawks’ leading scorer this season at 16.8 points per game, was limited to five points on 2-for-13 shooting. He led the team with 15 rebounds.