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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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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QU’s Wijnbergen is named GLVC Player of the Year on eve of conference volleyball tournament

Quincy University senior attacker Emma Wijnbergen was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year on Thursday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Emma Wijnbergen’s record-setting season earned her recognition as the best the Great Lakes Valley Conference has to offer. Wijnbergen, a senior attacker on the Quincy University women’s volleyball team, was named the GLVC Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first Hawk to receive the league’s top postseason honor. Wijnbergen led the…

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Schuck on a Truck: QU coach Jason Killday discusses reaching five-win plateau in GLVC

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team’s struggles within the Great Lakes Valley Conference since the league introduced football as a championship sport have been well-documented. That narrative is changing. The Hawks finished the GLVC season with a 5-3 record, marking the first time they have won more than four games in league play ever.…

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QU’s Wijnbergen, Kasavica receive GLVC weekly volleyball honors after weekend sweep

Quincy University senior right side hitter Emma Wijnbergen broke the single-season school record for kills last weekend, a performance that earned her Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A record-setting weekend led to Emma Wijnbergen receiving another Great Lakes Valley Conference weekly honor. The same goes for Elena Kasavica. Wijnberegen, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s senior right side hitter set the program’s single-season record for kills as the No. 20 Hawks swept a pair of GLVC matches, beating No. 18…

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Hawks reach new victory plateau in GLVC play as Dollard, offensive line dazzle in running game

Quincy University coach Jason Killday has led the Hawks to a five-win GLVC campaign for the first time ever following Saturday's 34-25 victory at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — An unattainable number has finally been reached. Another is now within sight. Saturday’s 34-25 victory over Southwest Baptist allowed the Quincy University football team to finish its Great Lakes Valley Conference slate with a 5-3 record, marking the first time since the league added football as a championship sport the Hawks have…

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Hawks’ Dollard earns GLVC weekly honor after rising to occasion in victory over Cardinals

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-20 victory over William Jewell. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, Quincy University athletics

QUINCY — Teon Dollard may not be the leading rusher in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, but he proved last Saturday he’s the best. In a head-to-head matchup with William Jewell’s Keandre McCullough, Dollard stole the show as he churned out 160 yards rushing on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Quincy…

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Hawks’ tenacity and toughness not enough to overcome key miscues in loss to Bulldogs

Quincy University running back Kamrin Cox gets stacked up by the Truman State University defense during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jason Killday’s coaching past ran into his future Saturday, and to no surprise, the two looked remarkably the same. That should leave those around the Quincy University football program encouraged despite the 28-21 loss to Truman State University in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at QU Stadium. The Hawks played the way Killday,…

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Truman State’s Quintero earns GLVC weekly honor after scoring twice in victory over hometown team

Lia Quintero | Truman State University athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Playing against her hometown team brings out the best in Lia Quintero. A sophomore forward on the Truman State University women’s soccer team, Quintero scored two goals Sunday in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 victory over Quincy University in Great Lakes Vally Conference play at Stokes Stadium. Monday, the Quincy Notre Dame graduate was…

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Hawks bring Abe’s hat home after bounce-back effort leads to victory over Bearcats

The Quincy University football players celebrate with the Land of Lincoln Trophy following their 34-10 victory over McKendree on Saturday at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, McKendree athletics

L:EBANON, Ill. — If the hat is your reward, you might as well wear it. So some of the Quincy University football players — maybe even the head coach — donned the Abraham Lincoln-style black stove top hat that has become the traveling trophy for the annual Land of Lincoln battle with McKendree. The Hawks…

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College gameday: Hawks and Bearcats to square off in Land of Lincoln rivalry game

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of the Hawks' first three games. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There’s a little more at stake when the only NCAA Division II football programs in Illinois square off Saturday. Quincy University and McKendree will play for the Land of Lincoln Trophy for the first time, as was announced by the schools in late August. The rivalry has been one-sided with McKendree winning 10…

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‘It’s not a good feeling’: Peacocks rally in second half to hand Hawks first loss of season

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard gets wrapped up by the Upper Iowa defense during the first half of Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University football players met a harsh reality as the clock ran out on Saturday’s game. “We learned we can be beat,” senior safety David Lewis said. “We’re not invincible.” Not that the Hawks believed they were immune to adversity following a 2-0 start to the season, but they never envisioned letting…

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Photo gallery: QU football team takes on Upper Iowa in homecoming game at QU Stadium

Quincy University wide receiver Anthony Gilpin Jr. gets picked up by offensive lineman Nate Smith after scoring on a 6-yard touchdown pass during Saturday's game against Upper Iowa at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy University football team allowed a fourth-quarter lead to slip away Saturday as the Hawks suffered a 29-27 loss to Upper Iowa in Great Lakes Valley Conference play on homecoming weekend at QU Stadium. Muddy…

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Hawks display moxie in fending off Prairie Stars’ late push to earn tie in GLVC matchup

Quincy University goalkeeper Julia Mincher battles with Illinois-Springfield's Abby Dellamorte for possession in the box during Sunday's game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The dominoes aren’t falling the way they once were. Leading Illinois-Springfield by a goal deep into the second half of Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup at Legends Stadium, the Quincy University women’s soccer team surrendered a goal in the 76th minute. It didn’t devolve into two or three goals, the same way…

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Photo gallery: QU, UIS square off in GLVC soccer doubleheader at Legends Stadium

Quincy University goalkeeper George Roke stops a shot on a breakaway by Illinois-Springfield in the second half of Sunday's game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — Surrendering late goals cost the Quincy University men’s and women’s soccer teams the opportunity to come out on top in Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against Illinois-Springfield at Legends Stadium. The QU men allowed a…

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Blocked punt kickstarts second-half comeback as Hawks rally for GLVC victory over Miners

Quincy University quarterback Drake Davis, left, and offensive coordinator Jack Nelson led the Hawks to three second-half touchdowns Saturday night in a 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

ROLLA, Mo. — Jason Killday isn’t sure how accurate the stat actually is, but during his time as the offensive coordinator at Truman State University, he heard former Bulldogs coach Gregg Nesbitt say teams that block a punt win 90 percent of the time. Since taking over as the Quincy University football coach, Killday has…

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College Gameday: Quincy University at Missouri S&T

The Quincy University football team will play its first Great Lakes Valley Conference road game at 6 p.m. Saturday against Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The early-season bye week meant it has been two weeks since the Quincy University football team last took the field, but the Hawks have used their time diligently to ensure the first Great Lakes Valley Conference road game isn’t a wasted trip. Missouri S&T has won seven of the last eight meetings against…

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Second-half goals propel QU women’s soccer team to first victory of season

Quincy University's Ella Wolfard, left, gains possession while being pressured by Lewis' Brynn Presley during Sunday's great Lakes Valley Conference game at Legends Stadium. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s soccer team broke through by scoring its first goal of the season in Friday’s neutral site loss to Bemidji State. Sunday, the Hawks broke through for their first victory of the season. Olivia Nelson and Daniella Segall scored second-half goals and the Hawks shut out Lewis over the final…

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Cann nets first career goal as Hawks erase deficit, salvage tie with Flyers in GLVC opener

Quincy University freshman forward Leo Cann goes up to win a ball in the air during Sunday's game against Lewis at Legends Stadium. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — Leo Cann’s first career goal and a stout defensive effort in the second half Sunday enabled the Quincy University men’s soccer team to salvage a 1-1 tie with Lewis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at Legends Stadium. In doing so, the Hawks withstood a barrage. The Flyers outshot the Hawks 22-6…

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Off and running: Ground game produces big results as Hawks win home opener

Quincy University tight end Garrett Drew, center, looks for running room after catching a pass during Saturday's game against Lincoln at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It’s a common theory that can lead to uncommon results. And there was nothing common about what transpired Saturday at QU Stadium. Backed by a ground game that churned out 248 yards rushing, the Quincy University piled up 515 yards of total offense in a 46-5 dismantling of Lincoln in the Great Lakes…

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Standing tall: QU defense’s unwillingness to budge results in season-opening victory

The Quincy University defense got a push on this play on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line and stopped Lincoln from scoring in the second quarter of Saturday's game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — How the play impacted the scoreboard wasn’t of utmost concern. Certainly, the Quincy University football team’s defense didn’t want to allow a touchdown or wipe away the shutout it was pitching. But the Hawks knew making a goal-line stand at the start of the second quarter of Saturday’s home opener against Lincoln would…

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Photo gallery: QU football team opens season with emphatic victory over Lincoln

Quincy University coach Jason Killday earned his first career victory with Saturday's 46-5 whitewashing of Lincoln at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — With thunderstorms washing out the second half of last week’s trip to Drake and turning that into a no-contest, the Quincy University football team’s game Saturday against Lincoln became the Hawks’ season opener as well as…

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From one winning program to another: QND’s Stratton commits to play basketball at Drury

Quincy Notre Dame senior Sage Stratton recently committed to play basketball at Drury University, the Great Lakes Valley Conference's best program over the past decade. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jackson Stratton did exactly what a big brother is expected to do. He looked out for his little sister. As Sage Stratton navigated the recruiting circuit throughout the past year — the Quincy Notre Dame senior received interest from a variety of NCAA Division II women’s basketball programs — she leaned heavily on…

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Hawks run out of gas in GLVC championship game, miss chance to make NCAA Tournament

The Quincy University baseball players were left with hugs and tears following Sunday's 11-1 loss to Maryville in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — Hope lasted about six hours. Following Sunday’s 11-1 loss to Maryville in the championship game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, the Quincy University baseball players had time before and after a four-plus-hour bus ride home from Mtn. Dew Park to believe they might still get in the NCAA Division II…

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‘I pretty much got every stitch of that ball’: Simpson’s walk-off grand slam sends Hawks into GLVC Tournament title game

Quincy University's Austin Simpson gets a hug from third base coach Chandler Purcell after belting a walk-off grand slam for a 7-5 victory over William Jewell on Saturday in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — The steakhouse Austin Simpson and his parents visited Saturday night had a 12-ounce ribeye on the menu. “I ate the whole thing,” the Quincy University first baseman said. He knew he needed to order it when he saw how it was labeled. “It was actually called ‘The champion,’” he said. How fitting…

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Never count ’em out: Hawks force extra innings, defeat Greyhounds on Simons’ single in 11th

The Quincy University baseball team celebrates its 5-4 victory in 11 innings over top-seeded Indianapolis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Friday night at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Chris Kirn

MARION, Ill. — Connor Simons hadn’t had an official at-bat in nearly a month as he recovered from a concussion suffered in the final game of the Quincy University baseball team’s regular-season series against Indianapolis. So consider this a little bit of payback for putting him on the shelf. Simons drove a breaking ball on…

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‘I’m not letting go’: QU’s Ortiz makes game-saving, diving catch in bottom of ninth

Quincy University second baseman JD Ortiz made a game-saving, diving catch in short right field to end the ninth inning and force extra innings in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament against top-seeded Indianapolis on Friday night in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — JD Ortiz needs to see a video replay of his diving catch to understand just how catastrophic the play could have been and just how remarkable it truly was. All he knows is he was determined to make the play at all costs. “I’m on the floor and my neck and my…

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Kroeger tosses six scoreless innings, helps Saints win opening-round game of GLVC Tournament

Palmyra product Jacob Kroeger threw six scoreless innings as the Maryville baseball team beat Rockhurst 9-3 in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Maryville athletics

MARION, Ill. — Jacob Kroeger did what an ace does. He got the Maryville baseball team’s pursuit of a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship started on the right foot, even if it happened 24 hours later than expected. The Palmyra, Mo., product threw six scoreless innings Thursday as the second-seeded Saints beat Rockhurst 9-3…

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‘That’s just the greatest feeling ever’: DuPont’s walk-off home run lifts Hawks in extra innings

Quincy University catcher Dustin DuPont follows through after connecting for a walk-off home run leading off the 10th inning of Wednesday's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament opener against Missouri-St. Louis in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — Dustin DuPont took off on a dead sprint toward first base, unsure where the ball he uncorked to right field would actually land. “It hit the back of the bullpen wall, but I thought it hit the fence,” the Quincy University catcher said. “I kind of started taking off a little more…

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Harrison, Hawks weather storm to pick up victory in first round of GLVC Tournament

Quincy University left-handed reliever Roman Harrison reacts to getting out an inning during Wednesday's game against Missouri-St. Louis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament opener in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — After left-handed reliever Roman Harrison navigated the top of the 10th inning without worry Wednesday, staff ace Griffin Kirn approached him in the dugout and asked if he was good to go back out for another inning. “I said, ‘No, we’re going to walk it off this inning,’” Harrison said. Not even…

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Hawks’ Kirn receives GLVC Pitcher of the Year honor, while Broughton is league’s top freshman

Quincy University left-handed ace Griffin Kirn was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in a vote by the league's coaches. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn proved unbeatable in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. David Broughton became the tone-setter for one of the GLVC’s hottest teams. The league’s coaches couldn’t ignore either player’s success. Kirn, the Quincy University baseball team’s left-handed ace, was named the GLVC PItcher of the Year on Tuesday night by a vote of…

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Schuckman: Relaxed play helps Hawks change outlook, open up world of possibilities

Quincy University pitcher Seth West reacts to getting the final out in the final game of last weekend's series against Illinois-Springield. The Hawks have won 11 of their 13 games heading into the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The game and everything about it felt tedious. None of the Quincy University baseball players will deny that. “When you’re getting your butt kicked, it is a chore,” first baseman Austin Simpson said. A five-run loss in the series finale against the University of Indianapolis on April 14 left the Hawks eight games…

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Punctuating a sweep: Simpson’s homer caps Hawks’ perfect weekend against Prairie Stars

Quincy University first baseman Austin Simpson tosses the ball to pitcher Eli Ecton covering the base for the first out of the sixth inning Saturday at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Austin Simpson knew he couldn’t go home empty-handed or he’d never live it down. His roommates — Dustin DuPont and Adam Lewis — both hit home runs Saturday in helping the Quincy University baseball team build an insurmountable lead in the finale of its Great Lakes Valley Conference series with Illinois-Springfield. So when…

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Photo gallery: Hawks head to GLVC Tournament riding high after perfect weekend

Quincy University senior center fielder Brock Boynton, center, hugs teammate Eli Ecton, right, while Adam Lewis, left, looks on during postgame ceremonies Saturday at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team had reason to celebrate Saturday afternoon. Not only did the Hawks honor the seniors following the final home game of the regular season, but the 21-7 victory over Illinois-Springfield punctuated a weekend series sweep that earned the Hawks the No. 4 seed for the Great Lakes Valley Conference…

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Hawks secure spot in GLVC Tournament with three wins, look to complete sweep

Quincy University left-hander Roman Harrison delivers a pitch in the seventh inning Friday against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The situations were strikingly similar, the circumstances decidedly different and the outcomes remarkably the same. Credit Logan Mueller and Roman Harrison for each having a little Harry Houdini in their act. Mueller, a sophomore right-handed reliever, was summoned from the Quincy University baseball team’s bullpen with the bases loaded and one out in…

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Photo gallery: QU takes tripleheader, building serious momentum with postseason on horizon

Quincy University shortstop Joe Huffman, left, celebrates his three-run home run, which catapulted the Hawks to a 7-4 victory in the first of three games played Friday against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team is heading toward the postseason with some steam. The Hawks won three games Friday — the resumption of Thursday’s suspended game and both ends of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader — to secure their spot in the GLVC Tournament. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time…

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Photo gallery: Hawks, Prairie Stars play five innings before thunderstorms shake QU Stadium

Quincy University junior left-hander Griffin Kirn delivers a pitch during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — They waited as long as they could. Finally, the Quincy University baseball players had to leave QU Stadium before the threatening skies dumped rain and hail and ruined a Thursday afternoon at the ballpark. The Hawks and Illinois-Springfield were tied at 2 when lightning strikes within 7 miles of the stadium forced the…

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Huff and puff and blow Bearcats away: Hawks belt eight home runs in GLVC series finale

Quincy University's Joe Huffman, left, celebrates one of his three home runs with teammates Austin Simpson and JD Ortiz as the Hawks beat McKendree 18-10 on Sunday in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Michael Hayeck, McKendree athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — Joe Huffman made certain the Quincy University baseball team went into the final week of the regular season with momentum. Jake Vitale helped ensure that, too. Huffman blasted three home runs Sunday and Vitale jacked two, the second of which gave the Hawks the lead for good in an 18-10 slugfest victory…

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QU baseball team’s offense continues hitting late-season stride, batters McKendree in series opener

LEBANON, Ill. — The Quincy University baseball team is doing what a team in contention for a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament berth should be doing. The Hawks are pummeling the bottom feeders. After scoring 36 runs in a four-game sweep of Southwest Baptist last weekend, Quincy opened a four-game GLVC series with McKendree on…

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QU’s McClure earns GLVC women’s lacrosse Goalkeeper of the Year honor

Quincy University's Kelly McClure was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Goalkeeper of the Year. | Photo courtesy QU athletics/Denny Sinnock

QUINCY — Kelly McClure capped off a decorated women’s lacrosse career with a major conference award. The Quincy University graduate student was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year after helping the Hawks advance to the four-team conference tournament for the first time in program history. McClure finished second in GLVC-only games…

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Rally enables Hawks to complete first weekend of sweep of season, continue building momentum

Quincy University catcher Cole Erickson smacked a two-run double as part of the four-run seventh inning as the Hawks rallied for a 10-7 victory over Southwest Baptist on Sunday at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

QUINCY — A rally. A sweep. And a new perspective. That’s what Sunday brought to the Quincy University baseball program. The Hawks erased a six-run deficit, took the lead with four runs in the seventh inning and finished off a 10-7 victory over Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. With that, Quincy swept the four-game Great…

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Momentun-seizing home runs from Simpson, Broughton catapult Hawks to sweep

Quincy University first baseman Austin Simpson belted a three-run home run during Saturday's sweep of Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Austin Simpson and David Broughton put a charge into the Quincy University baseball team’s pursuit of a conference tournament berth. Simpson, the junior first baseman, jacked a three-run home run in the fifth inning of Saturday’s opener game of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against Southwest Baptist, erasing a two-run deficit and…

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Birthday bonanza: Kirn twirls gem, Hawks’ offense comes alive in victory over Bearcats to open series

Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn delivers a pitch during Friday's game against Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. Kirn struck out eight in the Hawks' 13-1 victory. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn would have been satisfied with a victory for his 22nd birthday. His performance on the mound became the icing on the cake. Kirn allowed just one run over six innings and struck out eight in the Quincy University baseball team’s 13-1 victory Friday over Southwest Baptist to open the four-game Great…

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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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Hawks unable to find strike zone or complete sweep of Flyers

Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel, right, gives the ball to relief pitcher Logan Mueller in the second inning of Sunday's game against Lewis at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The chance at the first weekend sweep of the season got swept away, all because the Quincy University baseball team found itself playing chase all day. Five Hawks pitchers combined to walk six and hit six batters while allowing 12 earned runs in Sunday’s 14-2 loss to Lewis in the finale of the…

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Photo gallery: Hawks struggle to finish weekend with another GLVC victory

From left, Quincy University's Austin SImpson and Brock Boynton celebrate with teammate Evan Davis after he hit a solo home run in the second inning of Sunday's game against Lewis at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team was unable to string together a third consecutive day of solid pitching and timely hitting, suffering a 14-2 loss to Lewis on Sunday in the finale of their Great Lakes Valley Conference series at QU Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the day at the ballpark…

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QU baseball team excels in all phases to win series finale against Rockhurst

Quincy University right-hander Seth West allowed just one run over five innings in Sunday's 14-2 victory over Rockhurst at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock/QU Athletics

QUINCY — Sunday looked more like the team Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel expected to see, not the team that has endured too many ups and downs so far. Seth West allowed one run over five innings, the offense drove the ball into gaps and moved runners, and the defense didn’t commit an error…

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Bullpen narrowly avoids spoiling Kirn’s masterful effort as QU baseball team wins series opener

Quincy University junior right-hander Griffin Kirn throws a pitch during Friday's game against Rockhurst at QU Stadium. Kirn struck out a career-high 15 batters in Quincy's 10-9 victory. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Film study paid off. In the days leading up to Friday’s start against Rockhurst, Quincy University left-handed pitcher Griffin Kirn reviewed as much video as possible of his previous starts this season and past seasons, looking for any mechanical tweak that could give him an edge. Whatever he found worked wonders. The Quincy…

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Photo gallery: QU baseball team opens GLVC series with Rockhurst with victory

Quincy University center fielder Brock Boynton, left, slaps hands with third-base coach Chandler Purcell as he rounds the bases following his second-inning home run Friday against Rockhurst at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn was nearly unhittable. Brock Boynton put a charge into the offense. And the Quincy University baseball team survived a rain delay and a Rockhurst rally to come up with a 10-9 victory in the first game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference weekend series. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent…

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Harbin helps Saints take series from Hawks by slamming door in ninth inning

Maryville closer Noah Harbin, a Quincy High School product, center, gets congratulated after saving the Saints' 8-7 victory over Quincy University on Sunday at Weber Field in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Maryville athletics/Emmalee Randazzo

ST. LOUIS — Noah Harbin gave the Maryville baseball team a leg up in the Great Lakes Valley Conference title chase by slamming the door on his hometown team. The former Quincy High School right-handed pitcher stranded the tying run at first base in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, striking out Quincy University’s…

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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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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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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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‘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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‘It’s going to be fun baseball to watch’: Hawks set sights on making another run at trip to Cary

Quincy University center fielder Brock Boynton will be in the Hawks' starting lineup for the fourth straight season and is expected to be a catalyst for the No. 13 team in the NCBWA Division II top 25. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Saturday Morning Breakfast Club is ready to trade its name for something more meaningful and permanent. Something like “World Series champion.” That’s why 20 or more Quincy University baseball players gathered around 9 a.m. each Saturday during the offseason at the QU Health and Fitness Center to lift weights, do cardiovascular exercises…

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Legacy of retiring Truman State football coach Gregg Nesbitt is one of respect, admiration

Truman State football Gregg Nesbitt announced his retirement Friday after spending the past 14 seasons guiding the Bulldogs. | Photo courtesy Truman State athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — The reaction to Friday’s news that Truman State football coach Gregg Nesbitt is retiring spoke volumes about the legacy he leaves. It’s one of respect, admiration and praise. Nesbitt has earned all of that. A native of Hannibal, Mo., who played football at Truman State (then known as Northeast Missouri State) in…

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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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Cold-shooting Hawks fall in double overtime

Quincy University's Zion Richardson battles inside against William Jewell Saturday at Pepsi Arena. The Hawks fell 74-72 in double overtime. - Photo by Denny Sinnock, Quincy University

QUINCY – Despite shooting 1 of 15 from three-point range, the Quincy University Hawks still had ample opportunities to grab a win over William Jewell Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena. Orlando Thomas went coast to coast after a QU steal for a bucket to send the game into overtime, but QU missed its last three…

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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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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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QU baseball team voted by coaches as top choice in GLVC preseason poll

Dustin Dupont, who caught and played third base last season, batted .369 with 11 home runs and 51 runs batted in for the Quincy University baseball team last season. | Matt Schuckman

INDIANAPOLIS – Quincy University was voted in the preseason coaches’ poll as the choice to win the 2024 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) baseball championship, the league office announced on Monday. The preseason poll is determined by the league’s head coaches, who, per GLVC bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their team. Quincy received nine…

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Last-place Southwest Baptist rallies to defeat QU men, now tied for seventh in GLVC

Isaiah Foster scored 13 points for Quincy University on Saturday. | MRN File Photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — The Quincy University men’s basketball team led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held the lead for the first 31 minutes of Saturday’s game. Once the Hawks lost the lead, they never got it back. Drew McMillin made a 3-pointer with 9:10 remaining in the game to…

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Blass sparks fourth-quarter comeback as QU women erase 10-point deficit to win on road

Mikayla Huffine | MRN File Photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Trailing by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, the Quincy University women’s basketball team outscored Southwest Baptist 22-4 during the final 10 minutes and won 72-65 on Saturday afternoon at the Meyer Sports Center in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game. The victory keeps the Hawks (7-12, 6-7 in the GLVC) in…

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Blistering beginning puts Hawks in command as they climb back to .500 mark in GLVC

Drury's Logan Applegate, who scored 22 points, pulls up for a jump shot during Thursday night's men's college basketball game against Quincy University at the O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. QU's Isaiah Foster is in the background. | Photo courtesy of Payton Hannah, Drury University

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – There are fast starts, and then there is what the Quincy University men’s basketball team did Thursday night. The Hawks blitzed Drury by sinking their first nine shots, six of them from 3-point range, to take a 27-13 lead just six minutes into the contest. They held on for an 83-78 victory…

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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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Hawks gets bullied on offensive boards in suffering GLVC loss to Peacocks

Quincy University's Zion Richardson, right, gets off a shot before Upper Iowa's Ethan Steinbronn could close out during Saturday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — A basketball team can usually point to a few things to explain why it came up four points short. For the Quincy University men, it was only one. “We gave up 12 offensive rebounds,” guard Zion Richardson said. “That’s the ballgame right there.” Upper Iowa used those opportunities to score 11 second-chance points…

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Playing from behind too much for QU women to overcome in loss to Upper Iowa

Quincy University's Cymirah Williams, left, puts up a shot during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Upper Iowa at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Upper Iowa’s opening salvo was too much for the Quincy University women’s basketball team to overcome. The Peacocks needed just four possessions in the initial two minutes to bolt to an 11-0 lead and that cushion proved to be enough to withstand a second-half charge by the Hawks to secure a 69-62 victory…

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Richardson’s clutch plays at both ends of floor help Hawks reverse GLVC trend with Thursday victory

Quincy University's Zion Richardson gives a fist pump after drawing a charging foul on Truman State's Kobi Williams with less than 30 seconds to play in regulation Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — To be the hero at one end, Zion Richardson couldn’t be the goat at the other. He put himself in the right position to avoid that. An errant pass by Richardson from the backcourt while under pressure from the Truman State defense gave the Bulldogs a steal and the opportunity to cut into…

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Choosing to ‘get on the boat’ enables QU women to outlast Truman State for needed GLVC victory

Quincy University's Cymirah Williams gets fouled with seven seconds remaining in regulation and made both free throws to help preserve Thursday night's 78-75 victory over Truman State at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Cymirah Williams put the onus squarely on the shoulders of the Quincy University women’s basketball players. “It’s a choice,” the junior forward said. “It’s our choice.” The choice seems quite simple. Fight through adversity, play buzzer to buzzer and find a way to win or slack off for a quarter or more and…

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Photo gallery: QU men and women complete GLVC sweep of Truman State

Truman State guard C.E. Talton, a Monroe City product, applies pressure to Quincy University's Zion Richardson during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball teams completed a Great Lakes Valley Conference sweep of Truman State on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena with the men surviving a 75-73 finish and the women making clutch free throws for a 78-75 victory. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at Pepsi…

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College notebook: Former QU assistant coach guiding nation’s No. 1-ranked NCAA D-II team

Minnesota State-Moorhead coach Tim Bergstraser, a former Quincy University assistant coach, has the Dragons at 14-0 and atop the NCAA Division II national poll. | Photo courtesy Minnesota State-Moorhead

QUINCY — The new No. 1-ranked men’s basketball team in NCAA Division II is being led by a former Quincy University assistant coach. Minnesota State-Moorhead moved to the top on the National Basketball Coaches Association poll this week with a 14-0 record, displacing reigning D-II national champion Nova Southeastern after the Sharks had their 62-game…

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Schuckman: Hawks taking things personal in hopes of getting off roller coaster ride

Quincy University assistant coach Tim Walsh, left, and head coach Steve Hawkins applaud the Hawks' defensive effort in Saturday's game against Southwest Baptist at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The trend needs to end. The only way to do that is to take losing personal. So the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s coaching staff slapped those words across the dry-erase board in the locker room following last Wednesday’s 80-66 loss at Rockhurst. “It’s been on the board all week,” sophomore point guard…

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Trust in their offense enables Hawks to weather field goal drought, defense stymies Bearcats

Quincy University point guard Isaiah Foster, left, drives to the basket during the first half of Saturday's game against Southwest Baptist at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The longer it took for the Quincy University men’s basketball team to find success offensively, the more an 18-point halftime lead narrowed. The key was it never fully dissipated. The Hawks’ belief in themselves didn’t evaporate either. Quincy made just one field goal in the first seven minutes of the second half of…

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Three solid quarters not enough for QU women to erase one dismal quarter at start of loss to SBU

Quincy University guard Mariann Blass kicks a pass to the corner during the first half of Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Southwest Baptist at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team continues to find itself three-quarters of the way to success. That missing quarter tripped the Hawks up again Saturday. Southwest Baptist outscored Quincy 23-10 in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead despite the Hawks’ second-half surge, leading to a 68-65 victory in Great Lakes Valley…

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Empty possessions turn tide in Rockhurst’s favor as QU men suffer GLVC road loss

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three consecutive empty offensive possessions coupled with three consecutive empty defensive possessions put the Quincy University men’s basketball team in an unenviable position. Rockhurst made it uncomfortable the rest of the way, too. The sequence that lasted 1 minute, 54 seconds early in the second half of Wednesday night’s Great Lakes…

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Toughness wins: QU is unable to match UMSL’s physical style in GLVC loss

Missouri-St. Louis guard Matt Enright, right, chases down a loose ball after knocking it away from Qiuincy's Mason Wujek during the first half of Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It isn’t difficult within the Great Lakes Valley Conference to find men’s basketball teams that can be categorized as tougher than a $2 steak. They are the ones beating up on Quincy University. Despite shooting the ball uncharacteristically well Thursday night — the worst 3-point shooting team in the GLVC actually made 10…

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QU women’s basketball team never gets on track in GLVC loss to UMSL

Quincy University's Ashlynn Arnsman, left, and Missouri-St. Louis' Morgan Ramthun battle for a rebound during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Discombobulated might be the most apropos way to describe the way things went Thursday night for the Quincy University women’s basketball team. Penciled into the starting lineup like usual, sophomore forward Chomp Danso was a last-minute scratch because of a health concern. It left the Hawks out of sorts from the start as…

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Photo gallery: QU men and women square off against UMSL in GLVC doubleheader

Quincy University's Cymirah Williams, left, gets fouled while shooting by Missouri-St. Louis' Alex Wolff during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball teams struggled through a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. The women lost 62-44 to Missouri-St. Louis, while the men suffered a 75-66 setback against the Tritons. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening courtside and put together this photo…

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