Everyone in: Hawks seize opportunity to give bench players needed experience in lopsided win

Quincy University senior guard Nate Shockey brings the ball up the floor during Wednesday night's game against Hannibal-LaGrange at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The early-season schedule is giving the Quincy University men’s basketball team the opportunity to gain the one thing it lacks — experience. All 13 available players logged double-figure minutes Wednesday night as the Hawks overcame a sluggish start to cruise to a 92-39 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange University in their home opener in Pepsi…

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‘Weekend full of toughness’: Trail Blazers begin to forge identity with pair of victories

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt watched the Trail Blazers improve to 3-0 with a pair of victories in the John Wood Classic at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt used two words to describe the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team’s defensive effort last weekend he hopes will be the same two words he uses to characterize the Trail Blazers all season. Toughness and physicality. JWCC won a pair of games in the John Wood Classic last weekend at…

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Free throws allow Hawks to hold off Oilers, pick up first victory of season

Quincy University guard Orlando Thomas tries to avoid the pressure from a Findlay defender during Saturday's game in the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Truman State University's Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Truman State University athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Finding a way to win the final two minutes of regulation the way the Quincy University men’s basketball team did Saturday should help the Hawks learn to win more nip-and-tuck games the remainder of the season. Despite leading Findlay by as many as eight points in the second half of the GLVC/G-MAC…

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Second-quarter struggles put QU women’s basketball in bind

Quincy University guard Taya Stevenson looks to score during Saturday's game against Ursuline College in the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy QU athletics/Olivia Kindt

QUINCY — A second-quarter lull offensively put the Quincy University women’s basketball team in a hole it could never escape. Leading 15-14 after the first quarter, the Hawks were outscored 24-9 in the second 10-minute frame by Ursuline College and suffered a 77-60 loss in the final game of the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Pepsi…

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QU women put up fight in Boyd’s debut, fall one possession short of completing comeback

Quincy University's Karsyn Stratton, left, tries to work around the pressure of Cedarville's KaCee Kyle during Friday's game in the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The fight is there. The consistency isn’t. Once the Quincy University women’s basketball team develops the latter, winning games that are decided in the waning moments will become more common. For now, the Hawks will take the lessons learned from Friday afternoon’s 54-52 loss to Cedarville in the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Pepsi…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s basketball team fights to final buzzer in season opener against Cedarville

Quincy University women's basketball coach Courtney Boyd, right, walks in front of the Hawks' bench during Friday's game against Cedarville in the GLVC/G-MAC Crossover Challenge at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Courtney Boyd’s first game as the head coach of the Quincy University women’s basketball team showcased a couple of the traits that are expected to be hallmarks of her teams. Grit and resiliency. If the Hawks can add better scoring touch and more consistency to that mix, good things lie ahead. Quincy suffered…

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Added responsibilities on campus do not change Hoyt’s focus in leading JWCC hoops program

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt is entering his 13th consecutive season coaching the Trail Blazers and 14th overall. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The number of times Brad Hoyt criss-crosses the John Wood Community College campus on a given day probably isn’t as high as some might think. The number of questions he fields from every corner of the campus … well, that’s a number he’d rather not calculate. The JWCC men’s basketball coach’s “my door…

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Jones dazzles, Schreacke shines and Talton scores in season debuts on college hardwood

Hannibal product Dezi Jones, right, led the Austin Peay men's basketball team to a 90-72 victory over Life University on Monday night in his debut with the Governors. | Photo courtesy Robert Smith, APSU Athletics

QUINCY — Three area basketball products enjoyed solid season debuts Monday. Hannibal’s Dezi Jones dazzled in his first game with the Austin Peay men’s basketball program. Quincy Notre Dame’s Abbey Schreacke helped the Missouri women’s basketball team open with a victory. And Quincy High School’s Jeremiah Talton reached double digits for the Lindenwood men. Jones,…

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QU men, women both picked to finish ninth in GLVC preseason basketball coaches polls

Quincy University sophomore Mason Wujek, left, shoots over Iowa's Ben Krikke during an exhibition game in Iowa City, Iowa. | Photo courtesy Hawkeye Sports

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball programs find themselves in the same exact spot. They have to prove the Great Lakes Valley Conference coaches wrong. Both QU programs were picked ninth among the league’s 14 teams in the preseason poll of the league’s coaches. Only the top eight teams make the GLVC…

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QU men’s basketball team looks to gain experience, show determination in exhibition against Iowa

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins, left, and senior guard Zion Richardson discuss a play during a practice leading up to Monday's exhibition game at the University of Iowa. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Zion Richardson sees two significant benefits to the Quincy University men’s basketball team playing an exhibition game at the University of Iowa. “Experience and reps,” the senior guard said.  The Hawks need both. QU officially opens its season Nov. 10 against Cedarville in the GLVC-GMAC Challenge in Kirksville, Mo., but with a roster…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team prepping for exhibition game at Iowa

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins and his staff are molding a roster that features 10 freshmen and sophomores. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team will play its only exhibition game next Monday against the University of Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes are picked ninth in the Big Ten Conference’s preseason media poll. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time with the Hawks at Pepsi Arena…

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Schuckman: Coaching camaraderie that brought Izzo to town helps create fervor for QU season

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, left, and Quincy University coach Steve Hawkins entertain the crowd with a question-and-answer session during Sunday's tip-off banquet in QU's Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Logistically, it didn’t make sense. Tom Izzo didn’t care. Steve Hawkins needed the right person to headline the Quincy University men’s basketball program’s first tip-off banquet, and the Michigan State Hall of Fame coach willingly obliged, despite the whirlwind schedule it created. Izzo boarded a plane from East Lansing, Mich., to Quincy early…

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Photo gallery: QU tip-off banquet draws large crowd to hear Michigan State’s Tom Izzo speak

Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, left, signs a copy of the book "Mr. March" for a fan prior to Sunday night's QU men's basketball program's tip-off banquet at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Tom Izzo is entertaining. Steve Hawkins is, too. Put the Michigan State and Quincy University men’s basketball coaches on the stage together and time flies with the stories they tell. That’s what took place Sunday night in QU’s Pepsi Arena where Izzo served as the guest speaker at the QU basketball program’s first…

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WIU’s Massner will get chance to Heat up during NBA Summer League

Western Illinois University shooting guard Trenton Massner, left, has signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Miami Heat and will suit up in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, beginning July 7. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Trenton Massner’s history-making efforts as a senior on the Western Illinois University men’s basketball team were noticed far beyond the Summit League borders. Coaches with the Miami Heat liked what they saw. Massner, the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Wapello, Iowa, inked a free-agent deal with the Heat after going undrafted in last…

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Former QU men’s basketball players in transfer portal find new landing spots

Quincy University swingman Paul Zilinskas, left, is transferring to the University of Indianapolis with two years of eligibility remaining. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Two former Quincy University men’s basketball players who entered the transfer portal have found new homes. Paul Zilinskas, a 6-foot-6 swingman with two years of eligibility remaining, announced via social media last week he will be joining another Great Lakes Valley Conference program as he plans to sign with the University of Indianapolis.…

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Boudreau, WIU prove compatible, making his promotion to men’s basketball coach easy move

Western Illinois University athletic director Paul Bubb, left, hands new men's basketball coach Chad Boundreau a jersey during his introductory press conference Thursday in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois University found its perfect match, so there was no reason to waste any time making it official. Six days after naming Chad Boudreau as the interim men’s basketball coach in the wake of Rob Jeter’s sudden departure to take over at Southern Utah, WIU athletic director Paul Bubb removed the…

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Boudreau named WIU interim basketball coach with Jeter leaving for Southern Utah

Chad Boudreau will be the Western Illinois University men's basketball program's interim head coach after Rob Jeter accepted an offer to take over at Southern Utah. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Chad Boudreau is getting the chance to prove he deserves an NCAA Division I head coaching position with a live audition. After news broke Friday that Western Illinois University coach Rob Jeter was finalizing a deal to take over at Southern Utah, Leathernecks athletic director Paul Bubb named Boudreau as the interim…

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‘Here we go’: Boyd ready to guide QU women’s basketball program back to historic heights

Quincy University President Dr. Brian McGee, left, and new women's basketball coach Courtney Boyd share a laugh at the end of her introductory press conference Thursday in the Hall of Fame Room on the QU campus. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The caller ID read “Josh Rabe,” which meant Courtney Boyd knew which direction the conversation would veer if she answered. She said hello without hesitation. “What went through my head was, ‘Here we go,’” said Boyd, the Keokuk, Iowa, native who recently capped her sixth season as the head women’s basketball coach at…

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Schuckman: Coaching change is emotional torture on Hawks, but their research reveals ‘good, positive things’ with Boyd’s hiring

Courtney Boyd, introduced Thursday as the new Quincy University women's basketball coach, discusses her approach to coaching during her introductory press conference in the Hall of Fame Room on the QU campus. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The overlapping exodus of Kaci Bailey and arrival of Courtney Boyd made for an emotionally challenging 36 hours for the Quincy University women’s basketball players. “Definitely a little stressful, a little overwhelming,” freshman guard Rylee Denbow said. Mix in plenty of uncertainty. “There are a lot of unknowns up in the air right…

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Schuckman: Bailey left QU women’s basketball program riding upward trajectory

Kaci Bailey led the Quincy University women's basketball team to 22 wins in two seasons at the helm, nearly equaling the 25 victories the program had in the previous five seasons combined. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Kaci Bailey never intended to leave Quincy University as abruptly as she did. “Obviously, I wouldn’t have bought a house,” she said. Bailey never sold it as a lifelong commitment to coach women’s basketball here either. “As I told (QU athletic director Josh Rabe), QU has never been in the mix to be…

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Jones, former Hannibal all-stater, arrested in Connecticut and charged with strangulation, disorderly conduct

Former Quinnipiac guard Dezi Jones, a Hannibal all-stater and the Pirates' all-time leading scorer, was arrested Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor strangulation/suffocation and disorderly conduct by the Hamden (Conn.) Police Department. | Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics

HAMDEN, Conn. — Former Hannibal multi-sport standout Dezi Jones was arrested by the Hamden Police Department on Tuesday night and charged with misdemeanor strangulation/suffocation and disorderly conduct, according to police reports. The arrest was first reported by NBC Connecticut. Jones, a 5-foot-10 guard who spent the previous two seasons on the Quinnipiac University men’s basketball…

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Hurricane warning: Former JWCC basketball player with front row seat for Final Four as student manager for Miami

Former John Wood Community College basketball player and current University of Miami student manager Kameron Whiteman, center, caught up with former JWCC teammates Jarvis Jennings, left, and Brandon Kracht prior to the Hurricanes' game in the Midwest Regional finals last weekend in Kansas City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Brad Hoyt

QUINCY — Kameron Whiteman and his family were walking around a Kansas City, Mo., business district during last weekend’s Midwest Regional finals when he ducked into a store filled with NCAA Tournament gear. He found shirts for the Houston, Texas and Xavier men’s basketball programs.  “They didn’t have any Miami gear,” Whiteman said. He took…

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JWCC’s Talton finds ‘great fit for me’ as he commits to play at Division I Lindenwood

After a stellar freshman season at John Wood Community College, former Quincy High School standout Jeremiah Talton has committed to play at NCAA Division I Lindenwood University. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Looking back now, the sidestep Jeremiah Talton took on his path to an NCAA Division I college basketball program might have been the best thing for him. Lindenwood University gets to see the benefits of that for the next three years. The John Wood Community College freshman swingman and former Quincy High School…

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Schuckman: Building camaraderie, talking basketball brings Hawks together with Curtis Creek residents

Quincy University junior forward Solomon Gustafson, right, visits with a resident at the Curtis Creek Senior Living Community during Thursday's "Basketball and Bites" event. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Being insulated by the borders of the Quincy University campus gives the men’s basketball players a sense of security, but it doesn’t offer many opportunities to embrace those who embrace the Hawks’ success. Those are things they long to do. “We’ve wanted to be more involved in the community,” junior guard Zion Richardson…

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Crim: Bracket busting isn’t exclusive to the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament

Nova Southeastern coach Jim Crutchfield, left, talks to his team during a timeout. The Sharks were the only No. 1 regional seed to advance to the NCAA Division II elite eight. | Photo courtesy Nova Southeastern

QUINCY — It has been a bracket-busting tournament. No, we’re not talking about 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson toppling No. 1 Purdue. The Boilermakers, after all, have now lost to a double-digit seed in each of the last three seasons, so the outcome should not have been a complete shock. Rather, this concerns the NCAA Division II…

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Trail Blazers’ Talton earns Region 24 and MWAC Player of the Year honors

John Wood Community College freshman swingman Jeremiah Talton made 162 free throws — third most in NJCAA Division II this season — during a season in which he was named the Region 24 and Mid-West Athletic Conference Player of the Year. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the fifth straight season and the eighth time in the past 10 seasons, the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team has produced the Region 24 Player of the Year. This year, for just the second time in that stretch, the Trail Blazers swept three major postseason awards. Credit Jeremiah Talton for…

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Hawks’ Zilinskas, Davis announce they have entered transfer portal, won’t return to QU

After three seasons playing for Quincy University, 6-foot-5 swingman Paul Zilinskas has entered the transfer portal and will transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of Quincy University men’s basketball players have entered the transfer portal. Junior guard Paul Zilinskas and redshirt freshman forward Connor Davis announced their decisions on social media last week. Zilinskas, a 6-foot-5 swingman from , was the Hawks’ third leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points while shooting 42 percent from the field…

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Crim: Family’s passion for basketball is ‘awesome’ experience for Hamilton native Kurt Meister

The Meister family — from left to right, Lincoln, Angie, Laynie, Lilly and Kurt — are bound by basketball with the three kids following in the footsteps of their parents as student-athletes. | Submitted photo

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A case could be made that the Meisters are Rochester’s first family of basketball. Kurt and Angie Meister’s oldest child, Lincoln, is a 6-foot-10 junior forward on the Minnesota-Duluth men’s basketball team. The Bulldogs won 23 games during the regular season and qualified for the NCAA Division II national tournament for the…

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Trail Blazers’ season ends in unfamiliar territory with loss in Region 24 quarterfinals

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt and the Trail Blazers had their season end Wednesday night with a 93-86 loss to Spoon River in the Region 24 Tournament quarterfinals. | Matt Schuckman photo

CANTON, Ill. — The dark ride home gave John Wood Community College men’s basketball Brad Hoyt to accept there will be no tomorrow, at least not for this year’s team. “The reality has sunk in,” Hoyt said. “You get spoiled.” For the first time in six years, the Trail Blazers won’t play for the Region…

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Hannibal’s Jones earns second-team All-MAAC after guiding Quinnipiac to third place in league

Hannibal native Dezi Jones received second-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors after guiding Quinnipiac to a third-place finish in the regular season. | Photo courtesy Quinnipiac athletics

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Dezi Jones’ junior season proved to be one that made the men’s basketball coaches around the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference take note. The Hannibal native received second-team All-MAAC honors this week after guiding Quinnipiac to a third-place finish in the regular-season standings. The 5-foot-10 guard led the Bobcats in scoring at 12.4…

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‘We’ve got some dogs, man’: QU men take top-seeded Indianapolis into double OT before losing

Quincy University's Malik Hardmon goes up for a shot between Indianapolis' Sean Craig, left, and Julian Steinfeld during Thursday afternoon's quarterfinal game in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. | David Adam

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — An outsized and physically overmatched Quincy University men’s basketball team did everything it could on Thursday afternoon, but it couldn’t change the outcome — a gritty 79-77 double-overtime loss to top-seeded Indianapolis in the first round in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. What the Hawks did change this season, however,…

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Last-second shot doesn’t fall, but QU women earn respect by throwing scare into top-seeded Drury

Quincy University assistant coach Jenna Knudson, background, and head coach Kaci Bailey, right, console Beth Matas Martin after her potential game-winning shot didn't go in during the Hawks' quarterfinal game in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. | David Adam

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — It wasn’t quite the U.S. national hockey team over the Russians in 1980, but for NCAA Division II women’s basketball, it was darned close. Nobody could even fathom the Quincy University women’s basketball team staying remotely close to Drury, ranked No. 2 nationally, in the first round of the Great Lakes…

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Photo gallery: QU women nearly pull first-round shocker at GLVC Tournament

Quincy University's Janiece Dawson goes up for a reverse layup during Thursday night's women's basketball quarterfinal at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. | David Adam

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The eighth-seeded Quincy University women’s basketball team nearly pulled off one of the biggest stunners in the history of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, falling 79-78 to top-seeded Drury in Thursday’s tourney quarterfinals. MRN Editor David Adam put together this photo gallery:

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Photo gallery: QU men lose in double overtime to top-seeded Indianapolis in GLVC quarterfinals

Indianapolis' Kendrick Tchoua flies over Quincy's Zion Richardson during Thursday afternoon's men's basketball quarterfinal game in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. | David Adam

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The eighth-seeded Quincy University men’s basketball team took top-seeded Indianapolis to double overtime before falling 79-77 in the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. MRN Editor David Adam captured these images for a photo gallery:

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Crim: Coaching, teaching basketball keeps JWCC assistant Rafferty in ‘his happy place’

John Wood Community College assistant men's basketball coach Pat Rafferty, who has been coaching nearly a half-century, continues to provide insight for JWCC coach Brad Hoyt and the Trail Blazers. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Pat Rafferty says he will know when it’s finally time to walk away from basketball and coaching. At 72, after spending nearly a half-century with teams in high school and college gymnasiums, that time has yet to arrive. “He’s in his happy place,” John Wood Community College coach Brad Hoyt said of his…

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Empty possessions cause headaches for Trail Blazers in two-point loss to Jaguars

John Wood Community College's Jeremiah Talton reacts after missing a free throw late in regulation Saturday in a two-point loss to Danville at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt might not sleep too soundly if he goes to bed with visions of a one-possession loss to nationally ranked Danville dancing in his head. “When you have a one-possession game, you think about all those one possessions that don’t go very well,” the John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach said.…

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Nelson’s game-winning buzzer-beater earns QU women spot in GLVC Tournament

Quincy University forward Sarah Nelson scored at the buzzer Saturday afternoon to beat Rockhurst 65-63 and push QU into the GLVC Tournament field. | Muddy River Sports file photo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Friday night, during the team dinner for players and parents, Quincy University women’s basketball coach Kaci Bailey gave senior forward Emma Knipe’s parents a solid reassurance more was in store. “I told them, ‘Tomorrow’s not our last game,’” Bailey said. A homegrown senior — Quincy native Sarah Nelson — made sure…

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Photo gallery: JWCC suffers one-possession loss to Danville in final home game

John Wood Community College guard Joshua Talton, right, backs away from the pressure from Danville's Lewis Richards during Saturday's game at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Fighting for a higher seed in the Region 24 Tournament, the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team suffered a 60-58 loss to nationally ranked Danville Area Community College on Saturday at the Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the action courtside in this photo gallery:

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C-SC women overcome slow start offensively, power way into Heart tourney quarterfinals

Culver-Stockton College guard McKenzie Lathrom scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats to a 61-52 victory over Grand View in the opening round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. | Photo courtesy C-SC Athletics

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team’s ability to find some offensive rhythm enabled it to survive and advance in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. Trailing by a point after shooting just 26.9 percent from the field in the first quarter, the fifth-seeded Wildcats went 8 of 16 from the…

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Crim: Postseason fate still in question, but Hawks have undoubtedly made strides in Hawkins’ first season back

Steve Hawkins, shown talking with Malik Hardmon during a game against Grand Valley State earlier this season, has guided Quincy University within one victory of their first winning record since the 2016-17 season. | File photo by Matt Schuckman

QUINCY — As the Great Lakes Valley Conference enters the final week of the basketball regular season, the only certainty on the men’s side is that nationally-ranked Indianapolis will finish first and be the top seed for the league tournament March 2-5 in St. Charles, Mo. Otherwise, we’re left to decipher the GLVC’s rating system…

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Message received: Kicked out of locker room and practicing at elementary school, Hawks respond with home victory

Jamaurie Coakley, with the ball on the baseline against Truman State, scored 13 points in the second half on Saturday in his final game for Quincy University at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy of Denny Sinnock

QUINCY – Quincy University men’s basketball coach Steve Hawkins didn’t like the way his team responded to a 13-point home loss to William Jewell Thursday night, its third straight defeat and sixth in eight games. He sent a message the following day by locking the players out of their locker room in Pepsi Arena, prohibiting…

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First-half drought too much for John Wood men to overcome in home setback

John Wood Community College's Logan Robbins dribbles past Parkland's Isaac Mapson during Saturday afternoon's men's basketball game in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — When you’re a .500 team, you win some and you lose some. You will have good moments and bad moments.  The John Wood Community College men’s basketball team lost Saturday afternoon at home to Parkland College 65-62. The Trail Blazers’ record sits at 14-13, and like their season, the contest included good things…

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Photo gallery: John Wood drops to 14-13 after home loss to Parkland

John Wood Community College coach Brad Hoyt argues with an official during Saturday's game against Parkland College in Quincy. | David Adam

The John Wood Community College men’s basketball team lost Saturday afternoon at home to Parkland College 65-62, missing a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Trail Blazers’ record sits at 14-13, and they’re 2-5 in region play. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the images from the game.

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Bailey ‘proud of the effort’ as QU women lose home finale to Truman State

Beth Matas Martin, right, played all 40 minutes and finished with a team-best 17 points, the only QU player to reach double figures against Truman State. | Photo courtesy of Denny Sinnock

QUINCY – Quincy University women’s basketball coach Kaci Bailey knew her team was facing a tall order Saturday afternoon in its final home game of the season. Truman State entered the game in Pepsi Arena having won 11 straight games in the series. The Bulldogs began the day as the second-highest scoring team in the…

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‘The game got away from us’: Hawks suffer GLVC setback to Prairie Stars

Illinois-Springfield guard Jordan Rice, left, pressures Quincy University guard Isaiah Foster during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The downcast expression covering Malik Hardmon’s face told the story. So did his words. “The game got away from us, and we paid for it,” he said. The 6-foot-6 senior forward on the Quincy University men’s basketball team did not mince words or offer excuses following Saturday’s 84-74 Great Lakes Valley Conference loss…

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QU women see GLVC tourney hopes take major hit with lopsided loss to Illinois-Springfield

Illinois-Springfield's Ariyah Douglas gets a shot off between two Quincy University defenders during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The math never lies. “It’s tough to come back from 25 points down,” Quincy University women’s basketball coach Kaci Bailey said. And that’s exactly where QU found itself at intermission. Illinois-Springfield, which entered Saturday’s game with a 2-21 record, dominated Quincy from start to finish in posting an 81-59 Great Lakes Valley Conference…

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Photo gallery: QU men, women falter in GLVC play against Illinois-Springfield

Quincy University assistant coach Tim Walsh talks to point guard Isaiah Foster during a timeout in Saturday's game against Illinois-Springfield at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The fight to earn a spot in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament became a little tougher for the Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball teams after both suffered setbacks Saturday against Illinois-Springfield at Pepsi Arena. The QU men lost 84-74, while the women were drubbed 81-59. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Nationally ranked Greyhounds deny Hawks chance for season sweep

INDIANAPOLIS — There was no sneaking up on the University of Indianapolis a second time. The Greyhounds outscored the Quincy University men’s basketball team 14-8 over the final four minutes Saturday afternoon to post a 76-70 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Nicoson Hall. The victory was the 14th straight for seventh-ranked Indianapolis (20-2, 12-2…

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Crim: Matas Martin’s play is pointing QU women’s basketball team in right direction

Quincy University point guard Beth Matas Martin is leading the Hawks in scoring, 3-pointers, assists and steals this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Kaci Bailey inherited 14 players on a team coming off a two-win season when she was hired as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach in April 2021. Not the ideal recipe for immediate success. “It was late in the recruiting cycle, and I told the coaches we needed to try to sign a…

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Frustrated by fouls, Foster fuels final flourish as Hawks snap three-game losing streak

Quincy University's Isaiah Foster, right, dribbles while guarded by Maryville's Jaeden Smith during Saturday afternoon's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — Sitting on the bench tested Isaiah Foster’s patience. Three fouls limited the freshman guard to just 4 minutes, 35 seconds of playing time Saturday until he checked into the game with 11:40 remaining in the second half. Foster helped the Quincy University men’s basketball team go on a 10-point run to take the…

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‘It’s just super exciting’: Matas Martin scores 33 as QU women reach double digits in victories for first time in seven seasons

Beth Matas Martin goers up for a shot during Quincy University's women's basketball game against Maryville on Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — Sarah Nelson remembers the bad times, which makes it so much easier to enjoy the good times. In Nelson’s first three seasons, the Quincy University women’s basketball team had an 18-59 record and a 10-50 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Hawks now have won three of their last four GLVC…

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Photo gallery: QU men stay in third-place tie in GLVC standings by knocking off Maryville

Malik Hardmon goes up for a layup during Quincy University's victory over Maryville in a men's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena on Saturday. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team ended a three-game slide and stayed in third place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with Saturday’s 70-62 victory over Maryville at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River News Editor David Adam sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Photo Gallery: Quincy University women pick up 10th victory by defeating Maryville

Gabby Burns (12) high-fives Quincy University women's basketball coach Kaci Bailey after Saturday's 84-78 victory over Maryville in Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team picked up its 10th victory of the season — the most since the 2015-16 season — with Saturday’s 84-78 victory over Maryville at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River News Editor David Adam sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Struggles shooting from perimeter lead to Hawks suffering third consecutive loss

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas looks to attack the basket during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — It’s a fact as immutable as gravity — the ball must go through the hoop to win. Right now, the Quincy University men’s basketball team is struggling with that, at least from beyond the 3-point stripe. The Hawks shot just 6.7 percent from 3-point range Thursday night, making only 1 of 15…

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QU women unable to extend win streak, let game slip away in final two minutes

Quincy University guard Beth Matas Martin brings the ball up the floor during Thursday night's game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s basketball team has yet to reach February, and already the Hawks have matched the most victories they’ve enjoyed in the last seven seasons. Still, there is another significant step needed in their evolution. The Hawks must sustain success. It eluded them Thursday night. Chasing just the second three-game…

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The Scoreboard: Wednesday, January 25

Men’s basketball Lincoln Land 64, John Wood Community College 58 William Penn 84, Culver-Stockton College 76 Women’s basketball Lincoln Land 68, John Wood Community College 46 Culver-Stockton College 81, William Penn 66 Prep wrestling Quincy High School 42, Galesburg 28

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Massner sets WIU single-game scoring record with 46 points in Summit League victory

Western Illinois University guard Trenton Massner scored a single-game school-record 46 points Monday night against North Dakota at Western Hall in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy WIU Athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — Trenton Massner felt he was due for a game like this. “I haven’t been making a shot all year,” Massner said. “It’s like if I was making my shot all year, I’d have four or five of those.” This was the one that put him in the record book. Massner scored a…

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Crim: Hawks hope turbulent stretch subsides and more memorable moments await

The Quincy University men's basketball team has made considerable strides in Steve Hawkins' first season back on the bench. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY— Quincy University coach Steve Hawkins likes to compare a basketball season to an airplane flight. “There’s always going to be some turbulence,” he explained. His team is trying to navigate its choppiest stretch yet. After surprising preseason prognosticators by winning six of their first seven Great Lakes Valley Conference games to rise to the…

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Inability to make shots costs Hawks chance to get back on track in GLVC play

Quincy University's Malik Hardmon, left, and Isaiah Foster, right, battle for a loose ball against Missouri S&T during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — There wasn’t a lid on the basket at Quincy University’s end of the court. It just seemed that way. The QU men’s basketball team shot just 33 percent from the field, missed 20 of 24 tries from 3-point range and made only 17 of 27 free throws Saturday afternoon to fall 72-65 to…

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Hawks spread wealth offensively in grabbing 20-point GLVC victory against Miners

Point guard Beth Matas Martin led the Quincy University women's basketball team with 20 points in Saturday's victory over Missouri S&T. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Beth Matas Martin scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures Saturday as the Quincy University women’s basketball team rolled to an 83-63 victory over Missouri S&T in Pepsi Arena. The victory was the Hawks’ first against the Miners, who had won the previous five meetings, since . QU made 9…

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Second-half defensive struggles too much for Hawks to overcome in loss to Tritons

Quincy University's Jamaurie Coakley, left, looks to pass while being guarded by Missouri-St. Louis' Donovan Vickers during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at the Mark Twain Building in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

ST. LOUIS — A tale of two halves featured an ending the Quincy University men’s basketball team would like to rewrite. A solid first half defensively Thursday night led to the Hawks owning a three-point halftime edge against nationally ranked Missouri-St. Louis in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at the Mark Twain Building. However, the…

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The Scoreboard: Thursday, January 19

Boys basketball Unity 53, Rushville-Industry 46 Louisiana 64, Pittsfield 54 Tony Lenzini Tournament Van-Far 40, Monroe City 38 Hannibal 45, Clark County 35 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 44, Illini West 24 Quincy High School 31, Rock Island Alleman 29 Havana 37, Central-Southeastern 25 Louisiana 49, Pittsfield 44 La Plata 33, Marion County 25 Tony…

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Easy does it: JWCC shares basketball efficiently during critical stretch to earn win in MWAC opener

John Wood Community College forward Logan Robbins finishes a dunk over Spoon River College's Marquise Rue during the second half of Wednesday night's game at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — While his players on the floor rotated back to play defense after Logan Robbins flushed a two-handed dunk off a nifty baseline bounce pass, John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt implored his bench with a familiar refrain. “See, make it easy,” Hoyt said. For a stretch of the second half…

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Got your six: JWCC women’s basketball team wins MWAC opener despite depleted bench

John Wood Community College guard Madison McFerrin makes a layup during the second half of Wednesday's Mid-West Athletic Conference victory over Spoon River College at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lauren Bogle doesn’t dwell on the fact the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team has only six players healthy and eligible at this juncture. “You just need five on the floor, right?” the first-year Trail Blazers coach said. If the Trail Blazers can maintain the right level of defensive aggressiveness without getting…

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‘Sometimes it’s a bounce, sometimes it’s just luck’: Coakley’s putback beats buzzer and Panthers as Hawks rally for GLVC victory

Quincy University forward Mason Wujek, right, looks to hand off a pass while being guarded by Drury's Adam Moore during the first half of Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Paul Zilinskas never saw what happened after he released his shot. JJ Schwepker’s reaction told him all he needed to know. With two seconds remaining in regulation Monday night and the Quincy University men’s basketball team trailing Drury by a point, Zilinskas caught an inbounds pass while moving toward the basket. He collided…

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Photo gallery: QU, Drury split GLVC basketball twinbill at Pepsi Arena

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins talks to his team during a timeout during Monday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Drury at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jamaurie Coakley’s putback of Paul Zilinskas’ miss as the buzzer sounded lifted the Quincy University men’s basketball team to an 84-83 victory over Drury on Monday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference at Pepsi Arena. It also allowed the Hawks to earn a doubleheader split after the second-ranked Drury women beat Quincy 87-49.…

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The Scoreboard: Monday, January 16

Boys basketball MLK Shootout at Bloomington Central Catholic Bloomington Central Catholic 79, Quincy Notre Dame 71 Eastbay Shootout Macomb 47, Rockridge 39 80th annual Tony Lenzini Tournament Palmyra 79, Highland 34 Canton 67, Mark Twain 47 Girls basketball Pittsfield 31, Beardstown 14 Jerry Logan Shootout Quincy High School 53, Abingdon-Avon 27 Unity 58, Macomb 26…

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Hawks’ six-game win streak ends at hands of Bearcats as Nelson plays role of 3-point sniper

Quincy University forward Mason Wujek, left, puts up a shot while being defended by Southwest Baptist's Noah Franklin during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Having only one day to prepare for Southwest Baptist University wasn’t enough. Playing less than 48 hours after pulling away late for a hard-fought victory over Rockhurst, the Quincy University men’s basketball team was unable to effectively defend SBU’s motion offense and was repeatedly burned by reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of…

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QU women go on closing kick to snare GLVC victory against Southwest Baptist

Quincy University guard Grace Flanagan brings the ball up the floor against Southwest Baptist during Saturday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team outscored Southwest Baptist University 17-3 over the final four minutes Saturday afternoon to post a 63-59 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in Pepsi Arena. A 3-pointer by Beth Matas Martin from the top of the circle gave the Hawks the lead for good with just under three…

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QU men’s basketball team begins crucial three-game home weekend with victory

Quincy University forward Malik Hardmon scored a game-high 26 points in leading Quincy to an 81-73 victory over Rockhurst on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Quincy University men’s basketball coach Steve Hawkins relates three games in five days to an NBA schedule. At least the Hawks have the advantage of playing them all at Pepsi Arena. QU started the homestand off right Thursday night with an 81-73 win over Rockhurst and kept pace with the University of Missouri-St.…

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The Scoreboard: Thursday, January 12

Boys basketball Pittsfield 54, Rushville-Industry 51 Marion County 58, Madison 25 Winchester Invitational Tournament Jacksonville Routt 47, Central 43 Liberty 44, Calhoun 38 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 51, Rochester 41 Marion County 48, Madison 22 CSE Lady Panther Classic Brown County 47, Unity 43 Central-Southeastern 37, Illini West 26 North Greene Lady Spartan Classic…

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Trail Blazers set stage for conference play by hitting target with victory over Archers

John Wood Community College's Jenson Whiteman, left, tries to save the ball from going out of bounds after the Trail Blazers' Breiton Klingele knocked it away from St. Louis Community College's Devin Davis during Wednesday night's game at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In essence, conference play arrived a week early. Because of it, the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team may just be ready for its second season after all. The Trail Blazers built a 15-point lead midway through the second half Wednesday night, only to see St. Louis Community College chisel the deficit…

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The Scoreboard: Wednesday, January 11

Boys basketball Hancock County Tournament Southeastern 48, Unity 43 West Hancock 59, Illini West 38 Winchester Invitational Tournament Griggsville-Perry 52, Winchester West Central 49 Liberty 49, Carlinville 34 Girls basketball Quincy High School 46, Geneseo 44 (OT) CSE Lady Panther Classic South Fulton 48, Liberty 33 Lewistown 57, Rushville-Industry 23 Men’s basketball John Wood Community…

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Triple-overtime loss sinks Culver-Stockton women into fifth place in conference race

Culver-Stockton's Aaliyah Ortiz tries to shoot the ball with her ponytail covering her face during Saturday's triple-overtime loss to MidAmerica Nazarene. The Pioneers' Jordynn Gonzalez defends on the play. | Photo courtesy of Lisa Wigoda

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team started the week with a chance to establish itself as a contender for the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship. Back-to-back losses to two of the Heart’s best teams this week, however, have dropped the Wildcats from second into fifth place in the league. Saturday’s triple-overtime…

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Top of the charts: QU men’s basketball signee breaks SHG’s career scoring record

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin's Jake Hamilton, who has signed a national letter of intent with Quincy University, recently became the Cyclones' all-time leading scorer. | Photo courtesy Greg Puckel

QUINCY — The way the numbers added up, Jake Hamilton needed one more shot at history. So Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin boys basketball coach Tim Allen obliged. With a sizable second-half lead over North Chicago in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Classic on December 27, Allen was set to sub out all of…

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Hawks bring focused energy, sense of purpose into new year with victory over Bulldogs

Quincy University forward Malik Hardmon, right, gets fouled on the arm by Truman State's Xavier Hall during the first half of Thursday night's game at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — No one associated with the Quincy University men’s basketball program — outside of head coach Steve Hawkins — had experienced success against Truman State University. As much as the Hawks wanted to change that Thursday night, there was a larger purpose behind their 85-74 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Pershing Arena.…

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QU women’s basketball team unable to overcome slow starts to each half

Quincy University guard Beth Matas Martin, left, drives to the basket during the second half of Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Truman State at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — A sluggish start to each half ruined the start to the Quincy University women’s basketball team’s new year. Truman State outscored Quincy 10-3 over the first five minutes of the first quarter and then went on a 9-2 run over the first two minutes of the third quarter, building an insurmountable lead…

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Holiday cheer: Hawks head home for Christmas following overtime victory against Lakers

From left to right, Quincy University's Solomon Gustafson, coach Steve Hawkins, Paul Zilinskas and Zion Richardson watch as Malik Hardmon makes two game-clinching free throws at the end of overtime in Sunday's 59-54 victory over Lake Superior State at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The only thing that mattered was the only thing that crossed Isaiah Foster’s mind. “Go get the ball,” he said. By doing so, the freshman point guard ensured it will be a Merry Christmas for himself and his Quincy University men’s basketball teammates. Leading Lake Superior State by two points in the waning…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team finishes Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic with victory

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas, left, puts up a shot as Lake Superior State's Andy Soma defends during Sunday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team is carrying a three-game win streak into its holiday break after beating Lake Superior State 59-54 in overtime in the final game of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. Check out this collection of images shot by Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman during Sunday’s game:

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Inconsistency keeps Hawks from being able to outlast Lakers in nonconference matchup

Quincy University freshman forward Mason Wujek, left, tried to impede the progress of Grand Valley State forward Kingsley Okanu during Tuesday night's game at Pepsi Arena.

QUINCY — Steve Hawkins knew what was necessary to give his Quincy University men’s basketball team a chance to rally. The veteran coach didn’t like it, but he did it. “I feel cheap for it because that’s not how I want to try to win a game,” Hawkins said. Still, it nearly worked. Trailing Grand…

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Prairie Stars shoot down Hawks with blistering effort from 3-point range

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mama said there’d be days like this. Riding the high of back-to-back victories over two of the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s top three preseason favorites, the Quincy University men’s basketball team saw its momentum stifled Thursday night by another upstart crew. Illinois-Springfield, picked to finish ninth in the 13-team league, shot down…

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