Panthers pull away over final six minutes, keep Hawks winless in GLVC play

December 5, 2024 | By Muddy River Sports

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott, left, looks to attack while being defended by Drury's Josey Storey during Thursday night's game at th O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Drury Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The next step in the evolution of the Quincy University women’s basketball team is obvious even if it isn’t so simple.

The Hawks have to learn to finish.

Three nights after suffering a double-overtime loss at Upper Iowa, Quincy held a one-point lead with six minutes remaining in regulation against Drury in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. That’s when the difference between a team traditionally at the top of the conference standings and one fighting to get out of the bottom half of the league showed.

The Panthers made 4 of 5 field goals and 11 of 13 free throws to steadily snare and extend the lead resulting in a 91-82 victory at the O’Reilly Family Event Center. Drury scored 29 points in the fourth quarter, 19 over the final six minutes.

Over the same stretch, the Hawks went 2 of 8 from the field and 3 of 6 from the line with two turnovers.

Overall, Quincy (5-3, 0-2 GLVC) shot just 23.1 percent (3 of 13) from 3-point range and 65.4 percent (17 of 26) from the free-throw line. The struggles to maintain consistency offensively led to the Hawks having just 11 assists on 31 field goals.

Nicole McDermott recorded her first double-double of the season, finishing with 28 points and 13 rebounds. She went 8 of 10 from the line and grabbed six offensive rebounds. Mariann Blass finished with 18 points, but was held scoreless in the second half. Drury (5-2, 2-0 GLVC) had four players finish in double figures, led by Rhi Gibbons with 19 points.

Quincy will complete its three-game road trip at 1 p.m. Saturday at Missouri S&T.