Ruzevich dynamic in return to Pepsi Arena, helps Lions power past Hawks

QUINCY — Each time Julia Ruzevich returns to Pepsi Arena, it’s a reminder of what could have been.

Or it brings about this question: How’d she get away?

Ruzevich, a senior forward on the Lindenwood women’s basketball team, played her freshman year at Quincy University in 2017-18, getting named to the Great Lakes Valley Conference All-Freshman team after averaging 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds and snaring a team-leading 41 steals.

She left as part of a mass exodus that spring, transferring to a junior college and then to Lindenwood, where she has gone 6-0 against her former school. She capped that run with Saturday’s 63-47 victory in GLVC action at Pepsi Arena.

Ruzevich finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds, giving her double-digit scoring efforts in all six meetings and double figures in rebounding three times. Earlier this season, she had 13 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in a 69-60 victory in St. Charles, Mo.

Last year, the 6-foot-1 swingman had two monster game against QU, finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three steals at Pepsi Arena and 24 points, seven rebounds and three steals at home. Overall, she averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds against the Hawks.

Saturday, Ruzevich helped the Lions own a 16-4 edge in second-chance points and a 26-12 edge in points in the paint.

Both of those played a part in an 18-8 scoring run in the second quarter that produced a 14-point halftime advantage. The Hawks were outrebounded 44-35 overall and committed 16 turnovers.

Beth Matas Martin led Quincy (5-10, 1-6 GLVC) with a career-high 25 points and five rebounds.