Trail Blazers mount massive comeback, run out of gas before completing it in loss to Cobras

John Wood Community College sophomore forward Madisyn Doran, left, drives to the basket during Saturday's game against Parkland in Mid-West Athletic Conference action at the Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Just when it appeared momentum was on its side, the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team hit a wall. The Trail Blazers overcame early shooting woes to gradually whittle a 16-point first-half deficit against Parkland College to three with 2 minutes, 10 seconds left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer from…

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Trail Blazers unable to keep good vibes rolling, get shot down by Cobras’ sizzling perimeter game

John Wood Community College guard Connor Watson sets up the offense during Saturday's Mid-West Athletic Conference game against Parkland at the Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Riding a two-game winning streak and having won four of its previous six games, the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team was eyeing a signature victory over nationally-ranked Parkland College on Saturday afternoon. The Cobras, smarting from being upset three days earlier by Danville, would have none of it. Guard Drew Lewis…

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Photo gallery: JWCC men, women unable to keep pace with Parkland in MWAC doubleheader

The officiating crew for the women's basketball game between John Wood Community College and Parkland gets ready to start Saturday's game at the JWCC Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams couldn’t get over the hump Saturday afternoon in Mid-West Athletic Conference play. The JWCC women ran out of gas after trimming the deficit to three in their 78-62 loss to Parkland at the Student Activity Center, while the JWCC men trailed from start…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11: Boys basketball Quincy High School 80, Springfield 56 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 54, Southeastern 46 Mendon Unity 80, West Prairie 72 (OT) Winchester Invitational Jacksonville Routt 42, Griggsville-Perry 35 Triopia 60, Western 26 Calhoun 62, Carlinville 46 Petersburg PORTA 45, North Greene 23…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9: Boys basketball Brown County 63, Rushville-Industry 58 Triopia 75, Pleasant Hill 71 Calhoun 59, Payson Seymour 42 Cairo 59, South Shelby 56 Highland Tournament Canton 66, Palmyra 52 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 73, Beardstown 11 Quincy High School 61, Moline 58 Pittsfield 69,…

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Glass cleaners: QU women’s basketball team owns rebounding edge in victory over Indianapolis

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's 73-54 victory over Indianapolis on the road. | Matt Schuckman photo

INDIANAPOLIS — With the weather wiping out last Sunday’s matchup with Missouri-St. Louis, Quincy University women’s basketball coach Courtney Boyd said it felt like the Hawks hadn’t played in two weeks. It had only been seven days since their victory over Lincoln. “I don’t know why it felt that way, but it seemed like we…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8: Boys basketball West Hancock 69, Mercer County 31 Liberty 78, Mendon Unity 76 Griggsville-Perry 39, North Greene 31 Girls basketball Illini West 47, Mendon Unity 40 South Shelby 78, Meadville 22 Highland Tournament Palmyra 54, Canton 34 Keokuk 54, Highland 44 Men’s basketball Central…

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Crim: Camp Point Central graduates receive full community support in head-to-head coaching battle

QUINCY — The women’s basketball game between John Wood Community College and Danville Area Community College on Saturday afternoon could have been billed as “Camp Point Central Day.” The coaching matchup featured Kyle Bent (Central Class of 2004) for the visiting Jaguars and Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger (Central Class of 2008) for the host Blazers. Pockets of…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4: Boys basketball Jacksonville Routt 69, Payson Seymour 60 Griggsville-Perry 55, Illini West 43 Highland Shootout St. Louis Vashon 59, Quincy High School 56 Carl Sandburg Shootout West Hancock 57, Sherrard 47 Girls basketball Quincy High School 63, Springfield Southeast 42 Quincy Notre Dame 58,…

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Shelton’s return to JWCC lineup provides spark in conference victory over Danville

John Wood Community College sophomore guard Jordan Shelton drives to the basket during Saturday's game against Danville Area Community College at the JWCC Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Jordan Shelton and the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team shook off whatever rust they may have had. In Shelton’s first game of the year and the Trail Blazers’ first game in 21 days, Shelton scored 25 points and John Wood recorded its highest scoring game of the season in a 91-79…

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Jaguars go on third-quarter run to keep Trail Blazers from putting pieces of puzzle together

John Wood Community College sophomore guard Grace Deters pushes the ball in transition during Saturday's game against Danville Area Community College at the JWCC Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The missing pieces caught up to the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team against Danville Area Community College on Saturday. With three players injured, the Trail Blazers struggled to meet their halftime goals and saw a two-point deficit balloon to double figures as the Jaguars went on a 19-4 run to close…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 3

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard from Friday, Jan. 3: Boys basketball Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Mendon Unity 62, Griggsville-Perry 61 Calhoun 70, Brown County 55 South Shelby 73, North Shelby 60 Palmyra 60, Elsberry 52 Canton 68, Schuyler County 41 Clopton 73, Highland 26 Girls basketball…

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QU women’s basketball team finds itself right back in groove following Christmas break

Quincy University sophomore guard Mariann Blass looks to make a pass from in front of the Lincoln bench during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Cymirah Williams’ eyes got big and her smile widened. Asked how comfortable the Quincy University women’s basketball players were getting back on the Pepsi Arena floor for the first time in three weeks and just the second time in the last five weeks, the senior forward gushed over how seamless the transition felt.…

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One-point loss to Blue Tigers to gnaw at Hawks knowing they were one play away

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown attacks off the dribble during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Lincoln at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The decision to postpone Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup with Missouri-St. Louis due to impending weather was hardly ideal for the Quincy University men’s basketball team with no looming breaks in the schedule. Leaving the Hawks extra days to chew on Friday night’s 70-69 loss to Lincoln made it even worse. “It…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20: Boys basketball Quincy High School 69, United Township 53 Quincy Notre Dame 58, Camp Point Central 20 West Hancock 59, Western 35 Brown County 60, Beardstown 38 Macomb 56, Liberty 39 North Greene 42, Pittsfield 18 Jacksonville Routt 89, Pleasant Hill 42 Palmyra 64,…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17: Boys basketball Palmyra 66, Quincy Notre Dame 58 Liberty 55, Beardstown 30 Payson Seymour 56, Triopia 41 Brown County 63, Havana 37 Illini West 61, South Fulton 20 Moberly 69, Hannibal 53 Canton 53, South Shelby 48 Monroe City 81, Mark Twain 33 Rumble…

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Hawks withstand Cardinals’ late surge, finish pre-Christmas slate above .500

Quincy University guard Jake Hamilton, right, gets a shot off over Saginaw Valley State's Maurice Anderson during Sunday's game in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Some opponents just won’t go away. The Quincy University men’s basketball team is learning how to make them. Sunday’s 82-70 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the final game of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic is a prime example. What seemed like a comfortable 18-point lead with eight minutes remaining in regulation dwindled to…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team heads into Christmas break after back-to-back victories

The Quincy University men's basketball team's bench reacts to a play in the second half of Sunday's game against Saginaw Valley State during the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Christmas is a little more enjoyable when you take a win streak home. The Quincy University men’s basketball players will do so after sweeping their two games in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic, wrapping up the event Sunday with an 82-70 victory over Saginaw Valley State at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Sharing is caring: Hawks take advantage of ball movement to blister nets in victory over Bears

Quincy University guard Max Booher, left, gets high-fives from his teammates after knocking down a 3-pointer that forced Barclay College to call a timeout during Saturday's game in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Max Booher played it coy when it was suggested he likes shooting in Pepsi Arena. “A little bit,” Booher said with a wry smile. “Just a little bit.” Right now, no one shoots it better. Taking advantage of the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s increasingly better ball movement and several open looks from…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team erupts offensively against Barclay College

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown soars to the basket for a contested layin in the first half of Saturday's game against Barclay College in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team scored 65 points and made 12 3-pointers in the first half of Saturday’s 116-73 victory over Barclay College in the first round of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. The Hawks (5-5) will face Saginaw Valley State (4-4) at 3 p.m. Sunday. Muddy River Sports Editor…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14: Boys basketball Hannibal 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Illini West 48, Mercer County 36 100th Monroe City Tournament Championship Monroe City 51, Palmyra 47 Third place South Shelby 69, Marion County 53 Girls basketball A-Town Holiday Classic Byron 56, Central-Southeastern 49 Macomb 44, Rockridge…

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Hawks fight through top-ranked Lakers’ relentless pressure to stay within striking distance

Quincy University forward Acheampomaa Danso, right, reaches out to catch an entry pass while being guarded by Grand Valley State's Rylie Bisballe during Friday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mariann Blass nodded her head in agreement. Standing near Quincy University women’s basketball teammate Nicole McDermott as they discussed Friday’s 73-58 loss to No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State, Blass couldn’t help but react to a question posed to McDermott about the Lakers’ baseline-to-baseline defensive pressure. Was Grand Valley State’s relentless effort taxing? “Yeah,…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s basketball team fights to keep pace with No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State

Quincy University's Karsyn Stratton ends up on the floor while scrambling for a loose ball during the first half of Friday's game against top-ranked Grand Valley State at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team put up a fight. The Hawks trailed top-ranked Grand Valley State by four points at halftime of Friday’s non-conference matchup at Pepsi Arena, saw the deficit balloon to 18 points and then whittled it back down to six with less than four minutes to play in regulation.…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13: Boys basketball Quincy High School 81, Sterling 43 Quincy Notre Dame 70, Southeastern 37 West Hancock 88, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 57, Payson Seymour 56 Triopia 68, Liberty 63 Riverton 57, Pittsfield 36 Macomb 42, Illini West 38 100th Monroe City Tournament Louisiana 54,…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11: Boys basketball 100th Monroe City Tournament Monroe City 77, Marion County 25 Louisiana 41, Paris 37 Girls basketball Quincy High School 50, Macomb 30 100th Monroe City Tournament Palmyra 48, Highland 43 Paris 56, Mark Twain 45 Men’s basketball Culver-Stockton College 97, Mount Mercy…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 7

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 7: Boys basketball Quincy High School 55, Deerfield 32 Quincy Notre Dame 46, Macomb 34 West Hancock 63, Payson Seymour 35 Biggsville West Central 55, Southeastern 53 Illini West 50, Farmington 39 Mendon Unity 53, Central Lee (Iowa) 51 West Burlington (Iowa) 76, Canton 59…

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Hawks earn first GLVC road victory, pull away in second half behind tenacious defensive effort

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown, left, attacks Drury's Zach Howell off the dribble during Thursday night's game at the O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Drury Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Brad Hoyt admitted watching the Quincy University men’s basketball team play defense was fun. The offensive execution made him smile, too. A 19-6 run over the final eight minutes of the first half gave the Hawks a lead that continued to grow over the final 20 minutes Thursday night when Drury shot…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 5

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 5: Boys basketball Liberty 64, Highland 27 Carrollton 47, Griggsville-Perry 31 Marion County 64, Bevier 33 Girls basketball Quincy High School 72, Geneseo 19 Quincy Notre Dame 72, West Hancock 32 Central-Southeastern 56, Macomb 40 Pittsfield 47, Winchester West Central 20 Illini West 48, Rushville-Industry…

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

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…

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Photo gallery: JWCC basketball teams split home doubleheader with Carl Sandburg

John Wood Community College's Olivia Lawson looks to score against Carl Sandburg's Brook Pieper during Wednesday night's game at the Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams split a doubleheader with Carl Sandburg College on Wednesday night at the Student Activity Center as the JWCC women won 84-74 and the men tumbled 73-67. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 3

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 3: Boys basketball Griggsville-Perry 61, Brown County (3OT) Mendon Unity 58, Pittsfield 54 Macomb 68, Geneseo 41 North Greene 51, Pleasant Hill 50 Palmyra 79, Mark Twain 38 Louisiana 58, Highland 48 Marion County 57, Community R-VI 36 Girls basketball Hannibal 68, Hazelwood East 25…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 2

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 2: Boys basketball Brown County 62, Camp Point Central 34 Canton 65, Monroe City 42 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 65, Western 24 Central-Southeastern 59, Brown County 26 Illini West 46, West Hancock 42 Macomb 58, Lewistown 25 Monroe City 61, Canton 49 Men’s basketball…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Nov. 27

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Nov. 27: Boys basketball Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament Pittsfield 55, Camp Point Central 38 Liberty 55, Petersburg PORTA 47 Beardstown Tournament Brown County 77, Griggsville-Perry JV 26 Southeastern 49, Beardstown 45 Spartan Tip-Off Tournament Illini West 39, Bushnell-Prairie City 15 Illini Bluffs 48, Macomb…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Nov. 26

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Nov. 26: Boys basketball Bowling Green 61, Hannibal 56 Canton 56, Knox County 26 Monroe City 59, Moberly 45 Mark Twain 49, Paris 46 Kirksville 59, Highland 22 Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament Camp Point Central 33, Western 21 Petersburg PORTA 59, Payson Seymour 50…

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Crim: QND graduate Schreacke to have major hand in whether Mizzou sustains success

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Abbey Schreacke is shooting 48 percent from 3-point range seven games into her sophomore season. | Photo courtesy University of Missouri athletics

QUINCY — While it remains to be seen how the University of Missouri women’s basketball team will ultimately fare this season, it’s clear Abbey Schreacke will play an important role. The Quincy Notre Dame product has been impressive off the bench for the Tigers, who ran their record to 5-2 last Friday by dismantling Arkansas-Little…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, November 23

Quincy High School guard Myley Longcor deals with the pressure from an Edwardsville defender during Saturday's game in the Southern Illinois Shootout in O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Matt Kamp, Edwardsville Intelligencer

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scores from Saturday, November 23: Girls basketball Southern Illinois Shootout Edwardsville 42, Quincy High School 29 Pana Turkey Tournament Central-Southeastern 61, Mattoon 22 Central-Southeastern 76, Pana 35 Brown County Lady Hornet Classic West Hancock 40, Rushville-Industry 37 Brown County 61, Payson Seymour 23 Beardstown 54, Mendon…

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Sizzling finish offensively lifts QU women’s basketball team to victory at Truman State

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Some changes to the Truman State University women’s basketball team’s lineup Saturday — most notably the absence of post player Maddie Niemeier — created unique challenges and opportunities for Quincy University. The Hawks finally took advantage of them over the game’s final 16 minutes. Quincy whittled an eight-point deficit to two by…

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‘The first one at home just feels right’: Hawks win Hoyt’s Pepsi Arena debut as head coach

Quincy University men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt, right, watches a play unfold while squatting in front of the Hawks' bench during Thursday night's home opener against Hannibal-LaGrange University at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt wasn’t expecting to be hit by a tsunami from water bottles as he entered the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s locker room Thursday night. “I got soaked,” the Hawks’ first-year head coach said. “I think some of them refilled their bottles and got me again.” They wanted to make the celebration…

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Photo gallery: Strong second half carries Hawks to victory over Trojans in home debut

Quincy University junior forward Logan Robbins lets out a yell while the Hawks were playing defense during Thursday night's game against Hannibal-LaGrange University at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team allowed Hannibal-LaGrange to score just 10 points over the game’s final 10 minutes to earn a 75-61 victory Thursday night in its home debut at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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WIU’s Gravina reaches 200-victory plateau as Leathernecks open with back-to-back wins

Western Illinois University women's basketball coach JD Gravina won his 200th game with the Leathernecks last Saturday in an 89-83 victory at the University of Omaha. | Photo courtesy WIU Athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — The winningest coach in the history of the Western Illinois University women’s basketball program reached a milestone moment two games into the season. JD Gravina, now in his 14th season coaching the Leathernecks, won his 200th game at WIU with last Saturday’s 89-83 victory at the University of Omaha. WIU is 2-0…

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QU women’s basketball team finishes strong, wins first season opener since 2015-16 season

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — One of the biggest takeaways from Courtney Boyd’s first season as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach was the Hawks needed to learn to finish what they start. Friday, they finished with a flourish. The Hawks kickstarted Boyd’s second campaign by responding to a fourth-quarter surge from Ursuline College by closing the…

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Hawks ready to make significant strides in Boyd’s second season at helm

Nicole McDermott, a graduate transfer, will add depth to the Quincy University women's basketball team's backcourt and help instill the winning culture second-year coach Courtney Boyd expects. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Learn from the past, but don’t dwell on it. That’s Courtney Boyd’s approach. Entering her second season as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach, Boyd saw the Hawks limp to the finish line, losing six of their final seven games to finish with a 10-18 record. Five of those six losses were by…

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Schuck on a Truck: QU men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt discusses start of preseason practices

QUINCY — The weather Saturday didn’t mirror what many of us think of when we talk about basketball season, which normally invokes images of a winter coats and snow-covered roads. However, the 90-degree sun-splashed day made it ideal for the Quincy University men’s basketball team to stay inside. The Hawks officially began practice for the…

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Two former QU men’s basketball assistant coaches find new positions at D-I, juco levels

Former Quincy University men's basketball assistant coach Tim Walsh, left, is the last of Steve Hawkins' staff to find another job. Walsh will be the top assistant coach at Jones College in Ellisville, Miss. Hawkins, second from left, is now an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University, while Pat Richardson, second from right, has joined the women's basketball staff at Jacksonville State and Troy Potts, right, will be on the staff at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University assistant men’s basketball coaches — one of whom is a former Hawks player — have landed new coaching gigs. Jestin Anderson, who spent the past four seasons at Maryville and was elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2022-23 season, has joined the staff at NCAA…

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Hoyt fills QU men’s basketball coaching staff with familiar names and faces

Justin Bottorff, who was a second-team all-state selection at Quincy Notre Dame and finished his collegiate playing career at Augustana College, will be a full-time assistant coach on Brad Hoyt's men's basketball coaching staff at Quincy University. | Photo courtesy Augustana College

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt believed there was one vital element necessary when constructing his coaching staff. Familiarity. The first-year Quincy University men’s basketball coach needed at least one coach familiar with the community, one familiar with the Great Lakes Valley Conference and the NCAA Division II level, and one familiar with himself and his coaching…

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Former QU men’s basketball assistant coaches join new staffs

Troy Potts, a Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy University graduate who served as an assistant coach with the QU men's basketball program last season, has joined the staff at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University men’s basketball assistant coaches have landed new jobs. Troy Potts has joined the staff at Frank Phillips College, an NJCAA Division I school in Borger, Texas, as an assistant coach. Meanwhile, Pat Richardson is headed to Jackson, Miss., to be an assistant coach on the Jackson State…

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JWCC women’s basketball coach resigns to pursue full-time coaching opportunity

Lauren Bogle, who recently resigned as the John Wood Community College women's basketball coach, led the Trail Blazers to a 17-13 record last winter. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lauren Bogle openly talked about how coaching the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team enabled her to grow both in her ability to draw up Xs and Os and the organization of a program. So what was the most important thing she learned in two seasons at the helm? “Besides everything?” she…

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‘There were a lot of tears’: Hawkins resigns as QU men’s basketball coach after two seasons at helm

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins has resigned after two seasons in charge to pursue another coaching opportunity. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When opportunity knocked, Steve Hawkins needed to listen. He owed that to his family. After discussing an offer to join an NCAA Division I coaching staff with his wife, Kelly, the Quincy University men’s basketball coach knew the time was right to make a move. Monday, he officially resigned as the Hawks’ coach,…

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Schuckman: Next QU men’s basketball coach faces sizable task of meeting variety of needs

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt could be one of the candidates as Quincy University searches for Steve Hawkins' replacement. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The challenge facing the next Quincy University men’s basketball coach is three-fold. One, replenish the roster. Two, put fans in the stands. Three, win games. All three are intertwined. Prior to Steve Hawkins resigning Monday to pursue another coaching opportunity, four QU players had entered the transfer portal, although two of which are…

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Schuckman: Epic sports stretch begins this weekend and other rainy day musings

All eyes will be on University of Iowa guard Caitlin Clark this weekend as she attempts to guide the Hawkeyes to the NCAA women's basketball national championship. | Photo courtesy University of Iowa athletics

QUINCY — Random thoughts on another rainy day … • The greatest stretch on the sports calendar is nearly here. Over an eight-day span, three champions will be crowned, baseball gives us a glimpse of which teams are trending upward and the final playoff push in the NHL takes place. It begins this Sunday with…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Nebraska assistant coach Jessica Keller discusses NCAA Tournament, coaching ladder, QU roots

QUINCY — The leading scorer in the history of the Quincy University women’s basketball program is headed to the NCAA Tournament as an assistant coach, and following Nebraska’s effort against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, anything is possible for the Huskers. Jessica Keller is in her second season on the Nebraska coaching…

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Foster joins Richardson in transfer portal, leaves Hawks in need of bonafide scorers

Quincy University sophomore point guard Isaiah Foster has entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team’s need for shooters has grown into a need for scorers and ball-handlers as well. Senior swingman Zion Richardson entered the transfer portal last week, giving himself the opportunity to transfer as a graduate student with one year of eligibility remaining. Monday, sophomore point guard Isaiah Foster entered…

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Trail Blazers’ bid for spot in national tournament gets sideswiped by Cobras’ second-half blitz

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt saw his team suffer a season-ending 73-56 loss to Parkland in the Region 24 championship game Sunday at Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

INA, Ill. — The way the first half of Sunday’s Region 24 championship game went back and forth had John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt sensing his team was in a championship dogfight. “It was physical,” Hoyt said. “And it was a game of runs. I expected more of that to happen…

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Trail Blazers able to zone in defensively, earn spot in Region 24 championship game

John Wood Community College guard Joshua Talton scored a pair of transition baskets during a 10-0 run to start the second half Saturday that propelled the Trail Blazers to a 69-51 victory over Illinois Central College in the Region 24 semifinals in Ina, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

INA, Ill. — It isn’t often John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt decides to have the Trail Blazers play zone defense. It’s even rarer for them to play that style for an extended period. Saturday was that rare occurrence where it was needed. Trailing by four points at halftime of the Region…

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Fourth-quarter comeback falls short as JWCC women lose in Region 24 semifinals

John Wood Community College sophomore guard Jada Dupree scored 23 points in Saturday's 83-67 loss to Parkland in the Region 24 tournament semifinals in Springfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The patented second-half comeback was happening yet again. Only this time, it stalled out. The John Wood Community College women’s basketball team trailed top-seeded Parkland 58-39 at the end of the third quarter Saturday in the semifinals of the Region 24 tournament at Lincoln Land Community College. Three minutes later, on the…

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WIU men’s remarkable season comes to end with semifinal loss to Little Rock in OVC Tournament

The Western Illinois University men's basketball team suffered an 82-57 loss to top-seeded Little Rock in Friday night's semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Evansville, Ind. | Photo courtesy Ohio Valley Conference

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Through the first 12 minutes Friday night, the fourth-seeded Western Illinois University men’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with top-seeded Little Rock in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals. The eight minutes that followed is where the Leathernecks lost their edge. Tied at 21 following Drew Cisse’s layin with 8:20 remaining in the…

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Schuckman: Eftink’s return to court gives JWCC women’s basketball team perfect boost at perfect time

Blair Eftink, Quincy Notre Dame's all-time leading 3-pointer shooter, has been a late-season boon for the John Wood Community College women's basketball team after joining the Trail Blazers in mid-February. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Blair Eftink’s roommate may have hinted at or suggested a time or two the former Quincy Notre Dame sharpshooting guard not give up on her basketball career.  “Or maybe a lot,” Katey Flynn said with a smile and a chuckle. And for good reason. The John Wood Community College women’s basketball team needed…

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Shelton sparks offensive outburst as JWCC men earn spot in Region 24 semifinals

John Wood Community College guard Jordan Shelton, center, reacts to getting fouled while making a shot during the second half of Wednesday night's Region 24 quarterfinal victory over Rend Lake at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Rend Lake College men’s basketball wanted nothing more than a trip home. So John Wood Community College sent the Warriors home for good. Instead of returning to Ina, Ill., where the Rend Lake campus is located, for the final two rounds of the Region 24 postseason tournament, the Warriors must watch the…

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Comfort creates confidence for JWCC women during second-half surge in Region 24 victory

John Wood Community College's Katey Flynn, right, throws a pass while being pressured by Illinois Central College's Addi Swadinksy during Wednesday night's Region 24 quarterfinal matchup at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If the John Wood Community College women’s basketball players could attack the basket at the east end of the Student Activity Center all the time, they truly believe they’d never trail. “This side is our basket,” sophomore point guard Jada Dupree said. “We practice on it every single day. When we go that…

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Photo gallery: JWCC men, women pick up Region 24 quarterfinal victories at home

From left, John Wood Community College's Madi Doran, Grace Deters and Katey Flynn set themselves to play defense during Wednesday night's Region 24 quarterfinal game against Illinois Central College at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams took the first step toward national tournament berths Wednesday night by winning their Region 24 quarterfinal matchups at the Student Activity Center. The third-seeded JWCC men beat Rend Lake 75-61 and will face second-seeded Illinois Central College at 3 p.m. Saturday at Rend…

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Hawks’ Richardson picks up second-team All-GLVC honors

Quincy University senior guard Zion Richardson, left, earned second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There were moments during the Great Lakes Valley Conference men’s basketball season where Zion Richardson couldn’t be stopped. The league’s coaches recognized that. The Quincy University senior guard was named a second-team All-GLVC selection Wednesday after finishing third in the league in scoring. The 6-foot-4 Richardson averaged 19.1 points per game in GLVC…

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Hawks’ Williams posts 10 double-doubles in league play, earns second-team All-GLVC

Quincy University junior forward Cymirah Williams received second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Cymirah Williams’ ability to score, rebound and defend made her one of the more problematic matchup problems in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The numbers prove it. Williams averaged 15.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in conference play, finishing as the league’s third leading rebounder and earning second-team All-GLVC honors as voted on by…

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Crim: With Year 1 done, Boyd’s challenge becomes elevating QU to conference contender

Quincy University women's basketball coach Courtney Boyd led the Hawks to 10 victories in her first season at the helm, but she expects and will strive for better results in the not-so-distant future. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — First-year Quincy University women’s basketball coach Courtney Boyd sat in the conference room down the hall from her office in the Health & Fitness Center and pulled out her cellphone. On the screen was a staff breakdown of the point rating system the Great Lakes Valley Conference uses to determine its eight postseason…

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To no surprise, WIU’s McCowan is Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year

Western Illinois University guard Raegan McCowan was named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Had anyone other than Western Illinois University guard Raegan McCowan been named the Ohio Valley Conference’s women’s basketball Freshman of the Year, it would have been a bigger upset than 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson beating top-seeded Purdue in last year’s NCAA Tournament. McCowan won the OVC Freshman of the Week honor 13 times…

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Defensive presence of WIU’s Cisse leads to Ohio Valley Conference postseason honors

Western Illinois University senior center Drew Cisse, left, was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. | Photo courtesy WIU Athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Drew Cisse’s impact on the defensive end of the floor for the Western Illinois University men’s basketball team could not be overstated. He altered shots and cleaned the glass as well as anyone. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound senior center was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team…

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Dynamic second-half defensive effort gives Trail Blazers momentum heading into postseason

John Wood Community College sophomore guard Joshua Talton gets in good defensive position during the Trail Blazers' 74-59 victory over Illinois Central College on Saturday at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A simple one-word answer sufficed for everyone. The John Wood Community College men’s basketball team turned a two-point halftime advantage Saturday afternoon into a 74-59 Mid-West Athletic Conference victory over Illinois Central College to wrap up the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Region 24 postseason tournament. So what exactly did the Trail…

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Trail Blazers go on attack in second half, earn home postseason game by beating Cougars

John Wood Community College's Alexis Pohlman goes up for a shot during the second half of Saturday's victory over Illinois Central College at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A forgettable first half was forgotten quickly. It had to happen for the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team to play at home again. Trailing by eight points at halftime Saturday after shooting just 22.6 percent from the field, the Trail Blazers went on a 17-2 run over the final 6 minutes,…

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Photo gallery: JWCC men and women close regular season with home victories

John Wood Community College teammates Camila Zbynski, left, and Jada Dupree give Katey Flynn a helping hand to get back to her feet during Saturday's game against Illinois Central College at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The home slate didn’t end Saturday for the John Wood Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams. By sweeping a Mid-West Athletic Conference doubleheader from Illinois Central College — the JWCC men won 74-59 and the women won 61-52 — both will play host to quarterfinal games in the Region 24 postseason tournament…

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Hawks unable to erase first-half deficit, stumble in final regular-season game

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins saw his squad finish with an 11-7 overall record and a 6-14 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference following Saturday's 97-89 loss to Illinois-Springfield at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It was a case of déjà vu. The University of Illinois-Springfield men’s basketball team sank its first 11 shots, needed just four minutes to build a 14-point lead and withstood a furious second-half rally by Quincy University on Saturday afternoon to secure a 97-89 victory in the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season finale…

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Close but no victory once again for QU women as season ends with another narrow loss

Quincy University junior forward Cymirah Williams scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Saturday's loss to Illinois-Springfield at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team gained plenty of experience playing in close games this season. The next step is learning how to win them. The University of Illinois-Springfield outscored the Hawks 16-11 over the final 1 minute, 54 seconds Saturday afternoon to grind out a 79-74 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in…

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Hoyt being treated to ‘really cool experience’ as Blueboys embark on NCAA tournament trail

Illinois College freshman guard Jake Hoyt, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, will try to help the Blueboys find success in the NCAA Division III national tournament, beginning Friday against Dubuque. | Photo courtesy Illinois College athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Jake Hoyt knew to be ready. With the Illinois College men’s basketball team facing Grinnell in the Midwest Conference Tournament championship last Saturday, it was an all-hands-on-deck mentality. So the freshman point guard from Quincy Notre Dame figured to see an uptick in his minutes. “It’s a different kind of game when…

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Three C-SC men’s basketball players earn All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honors

From left, Culver-Stockton College's Robert Fry II, Seth Larson and Tai Walters-Whitaker all received postseason honors from the Heart of America Athletic Conference. | Photos courtesy C-SC Athletics

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team had three players receive postseason honors from the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Senior guard Robert Fry II and junior forward Seth Larson were named to the All-Heart second team, while junior guard Tai Walters-Whitaker received honorable mention. The 6-foot-1 Fry averaged a team-best 14.2 points…

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Yellowjackets surge ahead in second half, end Wildcats’ season in conference tournament

Culver-Stockton College guard CaRondis Harris-Anderson and the Wildcats were eliminated from the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament with Tuesday night's 77-64 loss to Graceland. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

LAMONI, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team committed a season-high 18 turnovers in a 77-64 loss to Graceland University on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. The sixth-seeded Wildcats end their first season under head coach Dorian Hobbs Jr. with a 14-15 overall record. Third-seeded Graceland…

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WIU’s McCowan captures OVC Player of the Week, Freshman of the Week honors

Western Illinois University freshman Raegan McCowan leads the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring at 19.3 points per game. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Not a week goes by without Western Illinois University freshman Raegan McCowan earning an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball honor. This week, she earned two. Coming off a scintillating scoring effort in an overtime loss to Southern Indiana last Saturday, McCowan was named both the OVC Player of the Week and the…

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Crim: Postseason basketball outcomes create intrigue, questions how futures unfold

Illini West boys basketball coach Blaize Kimmel led the Chargers to a 21-11 record in his first season at the helm. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Questions and observations as the march toward high school state basketball tournaments continues in both Illinois and Missouri, with some college teams harboring postseason aspirations in the waning days of February: First-year Illini West boys coach Blaize Kimmel stood outside his team’s locker room giving fist-bumps and hugs while offering words of encouragement…

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Hawks refuse to lose grip on lead in closing minutes, knock off Bulldogs in GLVC play

Quincy University freshman forward Ashlynn Arnsman scored nine points, including nine in the final two minutes of regulation, in Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over Truman State at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Once the Quincy University women’s basketball team managed to grab the lead, the Hawks weren’t giving it up. Freshman forward Ashlynn Arnsman made back-to-back critical field goals in the final two minutes, junior guard Karsyn Stratton made four straight free throws and point guard Mikayla Huffine capped a career-best scoring effort with…

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Bulldogs’ blistering shooting from perimeter buries Hawks in GLVC road loss

Truman State University's Trey Shearer went 6 of 10 from 3-point range in Saturday's 94-55 victory over Quincy University at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Truman State Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — The Truman State men’s basketball team is one of the best 3-point shooting squads in the Great Lakes Valley Conference this season. Quincy University is one of the worst. That’s how it looked Saturday. The Bulldogs shot the ball as efficiently as any QU opponent has this season from the perimeter, knocking…

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Leathernecks fend off Screaming Eagles to stay in position for top-four finish in OVC

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Hall feels like home once again. Fighting for a top-four seed in the Ohio Valley Conference postseason tournament, the Western Illinois University men’s basketball team ended a four-game home losing streak Saturday by beating Southern Indiana 82-76 at Western Hall. Western Illinois (18-11, 11-5 OVC) remains in fourth place in the…

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Pirates’ strong closing kick spoils Wildcats’ lead, sends C-SC into postseason with back-to-back losses

Culver-Stockton College's Seth Larson scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Saturday's loss to Park University in Parkville, Mo. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

PARKVILLE, Mo. — Park University scored the final 10 points of the game to upend the Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team 77-72 in the regular-season finale Saturday afternoon at the Breckon Sports Center. The Wildcats end the regular season with a 14-14 overall record and a 12-12 mark in the Heart of America Athletic Conference…

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Newbon’s season-best scoring effort, Ortiz’s complete game sends C-SC out with victory

Sophomore guard Avery Oetting helped the Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team finish the regular season with a 76-72 victory over Park in Heart of America Athletic Conference play in Parkville, Mo. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

PARKVILLE, Mo. — Addison Newbon scored a season-high 26 points to lead the Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team to a 76-72 season-ending victory over Park University on Saturday afternoon at the Breckon Events Center. Newbon was one of four players to score in double figures for the Wildcats, who end the season with an 11-17…

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Culver-Stockton men lose on road, remain in fifth-place tie in Heart standings with one game left

Culver-Stockton's Ryan Moore | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

LAMONI, Iowa — Graceland University outscored the Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team 41-32 in the second half to post a 75-66 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory Wednesday night at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa. The Wildcats remain in a tie for fifth place with Peru State in the league standings after the Bobcats…

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Two game-winning shots in final 10 seconds don’t drop as postseason hopes evaporate for C-SC women

Culver-Stockton's Aaliyah Ortiz, left, and Nevaiah Bell-Tanner | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

LAMONI, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team suffered a fatal blow to its postseason chances with a 66-65 loss to Graceland University Wednesday night at the Morden Center. The loss, coupled with Peru State’s victory at Baker University, all but ended the Wildcats’ hope for a berth in the Heart of America Athletic…

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Crim: Lepper epitomizes Hall of Fame tenacity and Hall of Fame personality

Tom Lepper, a 1992 Quincy High School graduate and a 1996 Quincy University graduate, was inducted into the QU Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics

QUINCY — The one thing Tom Lepper promised ahead of his acceptance speech after being inducted into the Quincy University Sports Hall of Fame was that it would be brief. “I’m not a guy that tries to draw attention to himself, you know,” said the man who never openly sought the spotlight but couldn’t escape…

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C-SC men make enough free throws to fend off Baker, qualify for postseason for first time in five seasons

Culver-Stockton College guard Connor Davis, right, defends during Saturday's game against Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference play at Charles Field House in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball program overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to post a 73-71 victory over Baker University on Saturday at Charles Field House and clinch a postseason berth for the first time since the 2018-19 season. After falling behind 58-48 with 9:16 to play in the second half, the Wildcats…

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Victory in home finale keeps C-SC women in hunt for spot in conference tournament

Culver-Stockton College forward Whynter Waterhouse-Brennan puts up a shot during Saturday's Heart of America Athletic Conference game against Baker at Charles Field House in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team stayed in the hunt for a postseason berth with a 69-60 victory over Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at Charles Field House. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Wildcats are tied with Peru State for the eighth and…

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‘Just get one’: Richardson powers Hawks past Flyers as six-game skid comes to end

Two Lewis defenders look to trap Quincy University's Zion Richardson near midcourt during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Olivia Kindt, QU Athletics

QUINCY — After six consecutive losses, the Quincy University men’s basketball team would have settled for any kind of victory. Registering a “team” win proved to be especially satisfying. Zion Richardson scored 22 of his game-high 25 points in the second half and the Hawks received valuable contributions from all 10 players who saw action…

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Strong start doesn’t lead to stellar finish as QU women can’t keep Lewis from rallying for victory

Quincy University guard Mikayla Huffine drives to the basket during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Lewis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Olivia Kindt, QU Athletics

QUINCY — It wasn’t a slow start that that did in the Quincy University women’s basketball team this time. Instead, it was an erratic finish. Less than 48 hours after erasing a 29-point deficit to nearly upset the University of Indianapolis, the Hawks scored the opening 12 points and led Great Lakes Valley Conference co-leader…

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QU men continue to struggle to find ways to get over hump, suffer another GLVC loss

Quincy University's John Kelly III looks to make a pass during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Olivia Kindt, QU Athletics

QUINCY — While the opponent changes, the story doesn’t. The Quincy University men’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with Great Lakes Valley Conference leader Indianapolis for 30 minutes Thursday night, only to be outmuscled down the stretch in absorbing a 75-68 loss at Pepsi Arena. Back-to-back 3-pointers by David Ejah culminated a quick 8-0 run midway…

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Epic second-half rally for QU women falls narrowly short in GLVC setback against UIndy

Quincy University guard Janiece Dawson, left, brings the ball into the frontcourt during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Olivia Kindt, QU Athletics

QUINCY — It was nearly a comeback for the ages. After playing arguably its worst half of the season and trailing by 29 points two minutes into the third quarter Thursday night, the Quincy University women’s basketball team appeared headed toward a lopsided defeat at the hands of the University of Indianapolis. Instead, the Hawks…

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