Fatigue leads to shooting struggles for QU men in GLVC loss to Southern Indiana

QUINCY — When the basketball doesn’t go in the hoop, it’s hard to sustain momentum.

The Quincy University men’s basketball team found that out the hard way Saturday.

Coming off a double-overtime victory against Indianapolis on Thursday, the Hawks were flat offensively from the start against Southern Indiana. They shot just 28.1 percent from the field in the first half and suffered an 80-65 loss in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Pepsi Arena.

“There was nothing left in the tank,” QU coach Ryan Hellenthal said.

It’s understandable. Three QU starters played 44 or more minutes Thursday night with sophomore guard Nate Shockey playing all 50 minutes in the 86-84 victory.

The fatigue showed. The Hawks (10-12, 3-9 GLVC) had three starters go without a field goal in the first half against the Screaming Eagles, and the five starters combined to go 8 of 35 from the field. Charles Callier, who had 11 points, was the only starter in double figures.

Even though the shooting improved somewhat in the second half, the Hawks finished the game at 31.1 percent from the field and 28 percent from 3-point range, where they were 7 of 25. 

Southern Indiana (11-4, 6-3 GLVC) owned the lane, outscoring Quincy 38-22 in points in the paint. Jelani Simmons led the Screaming Eagles with 17 points as five USI players finished in double figures as they shot 53 percent from the field overall.

Jalen Stamps led the Hawks with 14 points off the bench.