QU women stay alive in conference tournament chase

QUINCY — After a game-opening burst by William Jewell, it was up to the Quincy University women to answer.

And they did.

The Hawks countered two early three-pointers with a 26-2 run that turned into a 30-point lead and eventually finished as a 77-54 win Thursday night at Pepsi Arena.

The win puts Quincy (11-14 overall) at 7-10 in the Great Lakes Valley conference, tied for sixth and in position to get one of the eight slots in the conference tournament. QU finishes at home Saturday against Truman State, currently tied for second in the GLVC, then on the road next week against Southwest Baptist and Rockhurst, two of the teams the Hawks are fighting for the final spots in the tournament.

“We’re going to rest and recover, then we’ve got number the two team (Truman) coming in,” QU coach Kaci Bailey said. “They had their bye week so they’re rested. So our next focus is Truman and and then we’ll worry about the next two next week.”

Beth Matas Martin and Sarah Nelson led the Hawks with 24 points each. It was the first time in three years that QU had two players score more than 20 points apiece in the same game.

Nelson, a Quincy High School product, missed last Saturday’s loss to University of Illinois-Springfield with an illness.

“Obviously, we missed Sarah on Saturday,” Bailey said. “She scores for us but she’s such a glue and such a calming factor and her and Beth play so well together and they’re comfortable playing together. So when you get get them back, everybody kind of takes a deep breath.”

The Hawks second quarter barrage, where they outscored the Cardinals 25-9, allowed them to take a 41-19 lead into the half. They opened it up even more with a 60-30 lead after three quarters.

QU Stat Leaders:
Beth Matas Martin: 24 Pts, 6 Reb, 6 Assists
Sarah Nelson: 24 Pts, 2 Reb, 2 Assists
Emma Knipe: 4 Pts, 16 Reb, 2 Assists
Grace Flanagan: 7 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Assists