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 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, two…

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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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West wraps up big night with strong closing burst to help WIU men stay in second-place tie in OVC

Western Illinois' J.J. Kalakon tries to dribble to the basket while Tennessee State's Jayvis Harvey defends during Thursday night's men's college basketball game in Cookeville, Tenn. | Photo courtesy of Western Illinois University athletics

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Jesiah West carried the Western Illinois men’s basketball team in the final minutes Thursday night in a 62-55 victory at Tennessee Tech. The victory sees WIU improve to 16-10 overall and 9-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference, remaining in a tie for second place. The Leathernecks led most of the way, but…

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‘We’re just soul-searching a little bit’: Mistakes, inconsistency lead to Trail Blazers getting upset

John Wood Community College guard Connor Watson, right, looks to drive past Spoon River College's John Ross-Hess during Wednesday night's game at JWCC's Student Activity Center. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The outside doors to the Student Activity Center had been locked and a few of the inside lights dimmed by the time John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt emerged from the locker room after meeting with his team. “We’re just soul-searching a little bit,” he said. “We’re just trying to…

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Winless Spoon River provides perfect tonic for home-court woes for John Wood women

John Wood Community College's Amber Durst sets a screen on a Spoon River College player to clear a path for teammate Grace Deters to dribble to the basket during the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's women's college basketball game at the Student Activity Center in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — Winning at home has been a struggle for the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team this season. Until Wednesday night. The Trail Blazers scored the opening 12 points and 23 of the first 25 to coast to an 87-31 victory over winless Spoon River College in a Mid-West Athletic Conference game at…

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C-SC men’s four-game win streak ends on road as Grand View rallies in closing minutes

Culver-Stockton College's Tai Walters-Whitaker made eight 3-pointers in the first half of Saturday's game against Grand View and finished with a season-high 35 points. | Photo courtesy C-SC athletics

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped after a 92-87 loss to Grand View on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Wildcats back to the .500 mark at 12-12 overall and 10-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. With Peru State’s victory over Missouri Valley,…

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C-SC women fall into eighth-place tie in Heart following loss at Grand View

Nevaiah Bell-Tenner led the Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team with 18 points in Saturday's loss at Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa. | Photo courtesy C-SC athletics

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team suffered a 68-61 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to 17th-ranked Grand View University at the Charles Johnson Wellness Center on Saturday. The loss drops the Wildcats into a tie with Graceland for the eighth and final playoff spot for the conference postseason tournament with…

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QU men allow McKendree to go on back-breaking second-half run, suffer fourth straight loss

Quincy University's Orlando Thomas, left, looks to make a pass during Thursday night's game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, McKendree athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — Which statistic best sums up why the Quincy University men’s basketball team suffered a 77-68 loss to McKendree on Thursday night? Could it be the 21.4 percent shooting from 3-point range? Or maybe it was allowing the Bearcats to make 11 treys and shoot 50 percent from beyond the arc? The fact…

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Rough start to fourth quarter proves costly as QU women suffer loss at McKendree

Quincy University's Cymirah Williams, right, looks to attack along the baseline during Thursday night's game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, McKendree athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — The problem the Quincy University women’s basketball team seemed to have fixed resurfaced Thursday night. Three quarters of quality play were undone by one rocky stretch. The Hawks led McKendree by one point heading to the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference, only to get outscored 11-2 over the…

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Larson takes advantage of second chance to hit game-winner as C-SC men move into fifth place

CaRondis Harris-Anderson | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

MARSHALL, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team got late-game heroics for the second straight game to claim a 73-72 victory over Missouri Valley College Wednesday night in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game. The Wildcats trailed 72-70 when Seth Larson had his 3-point attempt from the right corner blocked with eight seconds…

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Culver-Stockton women dodge two game-tying 3-pointers to snap six-game road losing streak

Culver-Stockton's Malia Carmack | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

MARSHALL, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team survived two game-tying 3-point attempts in the final 10 seconds to escape with a 60-55 victory over Missouri Valley College Wednesday night in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game. The Wildcats held a 58-55 lead with 15 seconds remaining in regulation and had the ball…

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Culver-Stockton’s Fry named Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week

Robert Fry, a 6-foot-1 junior from Indianapolis, registered 20 points or more in all three Culver-Stockton College victories last week. He averaged 20.7 points, two rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College guard Robert Fry II is the WinWon Heart of America Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week; the league announced Monday. Fry, a 6-foot-1 junior from Indianapolis, registered 20 points or more in all three Wildcat victories last week. He averaged 20.7 points, two rebounds and 2.3 assists per…

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Hawks get third straight win heading to first place McKendree later this week

Cymirah Williams led Quincy University with 20 points and 15 rebounds in the team's 73-60 win over William Jewell in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. - Photo by Denny Sinnock, Quincy University

QUINCY – Passion and persistence paid off for Cymirah Williams and her Quincy University teammates Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena. Williams led the Hawks with a 20-point, 15 rebound effort, but hit what she called an “up and over” inside move that led to a three-point play and a 73-60 win over William Jewell in…

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Six players score in double figures as Western Illinois picks up Ohio Valley Conference victory

MACOMB – On this week’s two-game stretch through Missouri, the Western Illinois University men’s basketball showed everyone it is for real. After a victory over Lindenwood on Thursday night, the Leathernecks rolled past Southeast Missouri 76-55 on Saturday afternoon. The win was the largest conference victory for the Leathernecks (15-8 overall, 8-2 in Ohio Valley…

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Blistering shooting in second half helps Rockhurst overcome physical play, pull away from QU men

Rockhurst's Jake Auer gets knocked to the floor by Quincy University's Mason Wujek during the first half of Thursday night's men's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team traded punches (figuratively), verbal barbs and physical play (literally) during the first half of Thursday night’s game with Rockhurst.  It appeared the trend would continue during the first two minutes of the second half, but Rockhurst took over with an overwhelming shooting performance. During a 10½-minute stretch…

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Stevenson buries clinching 3-pointer to help QU women rally past Rockhurst, even GLVC record at 7-7

Quincy University's Taya Stevenson drives to the basket past Rockhurst's Ali Kamies during Thursday night's women's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — When she caught the pass from Karsyn Stratton at the top of the key, Taya Stevenson swears she never hesitated. Even though she hadn’t taken a 3-point shot the entire game. Even though she was only a 27 percent 3-point shooter this season.  “I think I have confidence in myself, and my teammates…

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Photo Gallery: Home-court loss causes Hawks to slip to 10th place in Great Lakes Valley Conference

Quincy University's Zion Richardson gets hit in the mouth by a Rockhurst defender on his way to the basket during Thursday night's men's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

During a 10½-minute stretch in the second half, Rockhurst made 15 of 20 shots from the field (including nine out of 11 from 3-point range) to turn a tie score into a 23-point lead on its way to a 100-79 victory in Pepsi Arena in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game. Quincy now sits in…

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Culver-Stockton women take defending NAIA champs to overtime before suffering road defeat

Clarke's Mya Merschman goes between Culver-Stockton's Katie Webb, left, and Aaliyah Ortiz during Wednesday night's women's college basketball game in Dubuque, Iowa. | Photo courtesy of Clarke Athletics

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team gave nationally-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Clarke University all it could handle Wednesday night before losing 73-70 in overtime in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game at the Kehl Center. The Wildcats led 52-43 entering the fourth quarter. However, the fifth-ranked Pride outscored the…

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Culver-Stockton’s Ortiz named Heart of America Athletic Conference player of the week

Aaliyah Ortiz averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 5.5 steals in victories over William Penn (Iowa) University and Peru State (Neb.) College. | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College guard Aaliyah Ortiz has been named the WinWon Heart of America Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 21-27, the league announced Monday. Ortiz, a graduate student from Tucson, Ariz., led the Wildcats to two victories. She averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists…

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All By Myself: Without twin sister by her side, Flynn becoming one of top scorers in JWCC history

John Wood Community College's Katey Flynn goes up for a layup during Saturday afternoon's game against Danville Area Community College at the Student Activity Center in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY – John Wood Community College guard Katey Flynn admits it’s strange not playing alongside her twin sister, Klare, on the basketball court this season. The Flynn twins had been teammates in whatever sport was in season growing up in Mount Sterling. The only previous separation came during their freshman year in high school when…

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Shelton gets transition game into high gear as Trail Blazers blow out Danville in second half

John Wood Community College's Jordan Shelton dribbles past Danville's Ryan Caddell during Saturday afternoon's men's college basketball game at the Student Activity Center. | David Adam

QUINCY, Ill. – John Wood Community College guard Jordan Shelton spent all but five minutes of the first half of Saturday afternoon’s game against Danville Area Community College on the bench with two personal fouls. He went from spectator to spectacular in the second half. The 5-foot-11 freshman from Mexico (Mo.) High School scored all…

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QU women lead for most of contest but lose for 14th consecutive time to Drury

Drury's Anna Hitt, right, dribbles to the basket past Quincy's Janiece Dawson during Thursday night's women's college basketball game at the O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Peyton Hannah, Drury University

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An opportunity lost. The Quincy University women’s basketball team opened an early 12-point lead and led for nearly 27 minutes Thursday night, but its inability to convert on the offensive end in the closing minutes allowed Drury to rally for a 70-66 victory at the O’Reilly Family Event Center. The Panthers improved…

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