Despite more Matas Martin late-game heroics, Hawks fall in overtime in weekend finale

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team is oh-so-close to being oh-so-successful.

For the second time in four games, the Hawks went to overtime, getting a pair of clutch Beth Matas Martin baskets in the final 20 seconds of regulation to tie Sunday’s championship game of the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic against Winona State at 51.

In the extra period, however, Matas Martin fouled out and two Hawks went down with injuries as the Warriors pulled out a 65-62 victory at Pepsi Arena.

Quincy is 1-3, but two losses have been in overtime and the average scoring margin in the three losses is seven points.

The Hawks seemed destined for another similar loss as the Warriors seized a 50-46 lead in the final minute, but coming off a Winona State turnover, Matas Martin buried a 3-pointer from the left wing with 16.7 seconds remaining to pull Quincy within one.

Winona State’s Lauren Fech split a pair of free throws with 10.3 seconds to play, missing the second and allowing Quincy to take a timeout and set up a final play.

Matas Martin drove the left side and hit a pull-up jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to tie the game at 51 and force overtime.

Quincy’s Kealani Nieves hit a jumper 30 seconds into overtime for the lead, but Winona State responded by scoring the next four points and never surrendered its advantage. Matas Martin, who had 16 points and four assists, fouled out with three minutes remaining.

Nieves led the Hawks with 17 points, while Sarah Nelson finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Quincy will face Hannibal-LaGrange at noon Tuesday at Pepsi Arena before opening Great Lakes Valley Conference play at 1 p.m. Saturday against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena.