Crim: Upset shows Hawks displaying toughness, physicality needed to win in GLVC

QUINCY — Entering the season, it appeared the Great Lakes Valley Conference did the Quincy University men’s basketball team no favors by scheduling it to open league play against Indianapolis and Lewis, opponents projected to finish first and third, respectively.

The one caveat was that both games would be in Pepsi Arena, and the Hawks made an early-season statement Saturday by knocking off Indianapolis 62-57 in a gritty defensive battle.

The Greyhounds entered the game undefeated and ranked 20th in the initial National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Division II poll, one of three GLVC teams in the top 25. (Southwest Baptist at No. 22 and Missouri-St. Louis at No. 24 were the others.)

It was QU’s first victory over a ranked opponent since toppling Missouri-St. Louis in February 2020.

“Obviously the win was big, but more important was the way we won,” QU coach Steve Hawkins said. “That was the most physical we have been, the toughest we have shown so far, and we were unselfish. That’s the way I want to win. It’s the culture we’re trying to establish for the program.”

The Hawks, predicted to finish above only Rockhurst in the 13-team GLVC, pulled off the upset by withstanding an early punch by the Greyhounds, using runs of 12-2 in the first half and 10-0 in the second to build a lead and then holding on down the stretch after their 11-point cushion dwindled to three with 3:30 remaining.

The latter was a positive step for QU, which was unable to close out winnable games against Findlay, Cedarville and Missouri Southern.

“We have to get experience and learn the pain of giving up leads,” Hawkins said. “We had double-digit leads in the second half of both games in Ohio. We just didn’t know how to win. We didn’t have enough experience to put those games away.

“Just because (beating Indianapolis) happened doesn’t mean we’re over all that. It’s just one win. But I think it was important for the kids to finish it out against a top 20 team.”

Hawkins believes it was beneficial having a week to prepare for the Greyhounds. QU had played its first five games in a nine-day stretch — two in Ohio and two in Kansas sandwiched around its lone home appearance before Saturday.

That grind came on the heels of traveling to both the University of Illinois and Northwestern for exhibition games, so the break was welcomed.

The Hawks also played their opening two regular-season games without guards Zion Richardson and Nate Shockey, who were both nursing injuries.

“We had a week off to really work on things, to introduce some things,” Hawkins said. “Every guy we have is a rookie in a sense. They’re trying to get used to the rhythm of the way we want to do things.

“We took one day to meet with all the players. The guys have bought into the culture, there’s been no problem with that. What has been the struggle has been the consistency with which we are trying to play.”

QU showed the toughness and defensive play the coaching staff has been preaching against Indianapolis. It held the explosive Greyhounds to 35 percent shooting from the floor, won the rebounding battle (34-29) and made more free throws (14) than its opponent attempted (7).

Those are the first three things Hawkins looks at when he receives a stat sheet.

“That’s all effort,” the coach said. “Do those three things and it’s difficult to get blown out.”

The Hawks (3-3, 1-0 GLVC) will attempt to get over the .500 mark for the first time when they host Lewis on Monday night. They have beaten the Flyers only four times in their previous 16 meetings.

They then hit the road Thursday to play Illinois-Springfield, which upset Lewis 72-66 Saturday, in another grueling gauntlet.

“When you win one, you want to get to the next one,” Hawkins said of the quick turnaround. “At least we’re not going winless in GLVC play. We got that one out of the way.”