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

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

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

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

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

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

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Schuckman: Changes are happening and will help Killday, Hawks create right trajectory

Quincy University football coach Jason Killday is implementing changes that seem subtle at the moment but will have a long-lasting impact on the success of the program. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The changes are subtle, probably unnoticeable to many. For those who see them, follow them, abide by them and trust them, the payoff should be substantial, at least that’s what the Quincy University football players need to be thinking. The transition to a new head coach with new standards and ideals to go…

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Photo gallery: QU football team hits midpoint of spring practice with energetic effort

The Quincy University football team is halfway through its spring practices and making strides in Jason Killday's first year as head coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Halfway to the nearest finish line, but only just beginning the process. That’s where the Quincy University football team finds itself. The Hawks wrapped up their eighth spring practice Friday afternoon at QU Stadium with a spirited, energetic effort that moves them a step closer to the spring game. Quincy will engage in…

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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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College notebook: Former QU baseball players D’Alessio, Napleton succeeding at D-I level

Abilene Christian's Gino D'Alessio, a transfer from Quincy University, was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week after hitting .600 over four games with three home runs. | Photo courtesy Abilene Christian baseball

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University baseball players are off to sizzling starts after transferring to NCAA Division I programs. Gino D’Alessio, an All-Midwest Region shortstop last spring for the Hawks, was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week after hitting .600 over four games as Abilene Christian went 3-1 with…

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

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

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

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

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

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QU baseball team wins GLVC-opening series as Boynton sparks offensive surge

Quincy University center fielder Brock Boynton collected five hits with two home runs over the final two games of the Great Lakes Valley Conference series against William Jewell in Liberty, Mo. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

LIBERTY, Mo. — The Quincy University baseball team is back on track. Sunday’s 16-10 victory over William Jewell at Talley Stadium punctuated a series victory in the first weekend of Great Lakes Valley Conference play, gave the Hawks back-to-back series wins and put the 0-7 start on the season-opening trip to Georgia completely in the…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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Kirn, Hawks take advantage of coming home to earn first victory of season

Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn struck out 11 over 6 1/3 innings Friday to lead the Hawks to a 5-1 victory over Davenport at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Olivia Kindt, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Welcome home. After enduring a seven-game losing streak on its season-opening road trip and falling out of the NCBWA Division II Top 25, the Quincy University baseball team used Friday’s home opener as a fresh start and took advantage of the comfortable confines of QU Stadium. Junior left-handed starter Griffin Kirn threw 6…

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

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

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

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‘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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Kirn ready to shoulder load of being No. 1 starter in Hawks’ rotation

Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, went 7-2 last season and will be the Hawks' No. 1 starter this spring. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn understands the expectation and the challenge. “It’s all about giving the guys a chance to win,” he said. The No. 1 starter in the Quincy University baseball team’s rotation has a history of doing just that. Over the past four seasons — the first two with left-hander Riley Martin as the…

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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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Killday’s first recruiting class at QU features local ties, building blocks in trenches

Quincy High School linebacker Ty Douglas, left, and wide receiver Adon Byquist are key components of the Quincy University football team's recruiting class. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Having spent the past 14 years recruiting the I-55 corridor between Chicago and St. Louis, Quincy University football coach Jason Killday understands there is a wealth of talent between the two metro areas. You just have to look. “You have to be able to dig in the dirt a little bit and find…

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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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Pro football future still exists for QU’s Wilson after being selected in UFL dispersal draft

Former Quincy University offensive lineman BJ Wilson was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the United Football League's dispersal draft. | Matt Schuckman photo

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — BJ Wilson is getting another chance to prove he belongs on a professional football team’s roster. Wilson, the Quincy University graduate who was an All-Great Lakes Valley Conference left tackle, was selected in the United Football League’s dispersal draft by the San Antonio Brahmas. He is expected to join the Brahmas…

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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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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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‘He is the right guy for this program’: QU introduces Killday as new football coach

Jason Killday talks about his approach as a coach during Wednesday's press conference in which he was introduced as the new Quincy University football coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jason Killday has never been a job chaser. “Occasionally, you see something you kind of raise your eyebrow to and think, ‘That’d be interesting,’ said Killday, who spent the last eight seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Truman State football program after six seasons on the Quincy University staff.  “My goal has…

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Schuckman: Strong roots in community, football make Killday right choice to guide QU program

Quincy University President Dr. Brian McGee, left, congratulates Jason Killday after he was introduced as the Hawks' new football coach during a press conference Wednesday in the Hall of Fame room on the QU campus, while QU athletic director Josh Rabe looks on. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Roots run deep in the Killday family, where the family farm outside of Winchester, Ill., remains the beacon that draws everyone home. Josh Rabe wants Quincy University to have the same magnetism. So for the second time this calendar year, when faced with having to hire a head coach for a high-profile program,…

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Hawks head home for holidays with Christmas cheer, three-game win streak and tourney title

Quincy University's Zion Richardson, center, and Nate Shockey, left, react after Wayne State called a timeout following a Shockey 3-pointer during the second half of Sunday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The getaway game never got away from the Quincy University men’s basketball team. That should make for a Merry Christmas for all. In the Hawks’ final game before heading home for the holiday break, they held Wayne State to 28-percent shooting from the field in the second half of a 66-55 victory Sunday…

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Photo gallery: QU men win championship of Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic

Quincy University forward Mason Wujek gets position in the post during Sunday's game against Wayne State in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A suffocating defensive effort in the second half of Sunday’s game and a double-double from senior guard Zion Richardson gave the Quincy University men’s basketball team a 66-55 victory over Wayne State and the championship of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at Pepsi Arena and put together…

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‘This is about going home’: QU football coach resigns to take reins of Virginia-Wise program

Quincy University football coach Gary Bass, right, resigned after seven seasons at the helm to take over the program at the University of Virginia-Wise. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Appalachian Mountains are calling Gary Bass home. The North Carolina native who spent the past 12 college football seasons coaching at Quincy University, including the last seven as head coach, resigned Tuesday morning after accepting an offer to become the head coach at the University of Virginia-Wise, an NCAA Division II program.…

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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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QU men’s basketball team regains offensive rhythm in second half of victory over Maryville

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins, left, talks with senior guard Zion Richardson during a practice earlier this season at Pepsi Arena. Richardson scored 23 points in Saturday's 71-66 victory against Maryville. | Muddy River Sports file photo

ST. LOUIS — The Quincy University men’s basketball team finally regained its rhythm. The Hawks’ continued struggles offensively — 29-percent shooting from the field and 22-percent shooting from 3-point range — left them in a seven-point hole at halftime of Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Maryville at Moloney Arena. Things change at the…

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Defense, rebounding carry QU women’s basketball team to another GLVC victory

Quincy University junior forward Cymirah Williams scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Saturday's victory over Maryville. | Muddy River Sports file photo

ST. LOUIS — Two important statistical categories explain why the Quincy University women’s basketball team has won three of its last four games and remains undefeated on the road this season. Shooting percentage and rebounding. In the three victories, including beating Maryville 63-55 on Saturday afternoon in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Moloney Arena,…

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Hawks put brakes on Miners’ run, close out GLVC victory

Quincy University guard Mikayla Huffine scored 10 points in Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. | Muddy River Sports file photo

ROLLA, Mo. — The Quincy University women’s basketball team is figuring out how to finish. Leading Missouri S&T by as many as 13 points in the third quarter Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action, the Hawks stumbled. The Miners went on a 10-2 run to close the quarter and ultimately trimmed the deficit…

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Combination of woes lead to GLVC loss for QU men

ROLLA, Mo. — What do a season-high number of turnovers, more struggles shooting from the perimeter and a five-minute offensive drought add up to? Nothing good. The Quincy University men’s basketball team played toe-to-toe with Missouri S&T for the first 15 minutes of Thursday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at the Bullman Multi-Purpose Building.…

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Confidence comes in home victory as Hawks find way to get back on track

Quincy University freshman forward Anthony McGhee, right, applies pressure to Judson's Anterrious Rhyan during Saturday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Coming off two disappointing losses in Michigan and with the start of Great Lakes Valley Conference play on the horizon, the Quincy University men’s basketball team needed a boost in confidence. While the pace of play was often ragged, thanks to a combined 83 missed field goal attempts and 25 turnovers, the Hawks…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team pulls away from Judson in second half

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins talks to his team during a timeout in the first half of Saturday's game against Judson University at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team pulled away from Judson University in the second half and posted a 64-45 victory Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena to even its record at 3-3. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Pepsi Arena and put together this photo gallery:

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QU’s Tabakovic earns first-team All-GLVC honors, Palmyra’s Plunkett among second-team picks

Quincy University senior defensive lineman David Tabakovic, left, was a first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team’s season, which ended with just the fifth winning record in the past 28 years, resulted in 15 players earning All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. Senior defensive lineman David Tabakovic was the Hawks’ lone first-team selection. The 6-foot-2 Tabakovic led the Hawks with 15 tackles for loss and 8.5…

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QU volleyball team earns NCAA tourney bid as fourth seed in Midwest Region

Quincy University middle blocker Alice Pavan, center, and the Hawks are headed to the NCAA Division II national tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team is back in the NCAA Tournament. The pairings for the NCAA Division II national tournament were released Monday night, and the Hawks earned the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. They will open against fifth-seeded Grand Valley State on Nov. 30 at the University of Missouri-St.…

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Shooting woes plague Hawks in second half of another road loss

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins watched his team score just eight points in the first 14 minutes of the second half in Monday night's 75-62 loss to Lake Superior State in Kalamazoo, Mich. | Matt Schuckman photo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The inability to knock down perimeter shots is keeping the Quincy University men’s basketball team from staying in games. Two days after shooting just 10.5 percent from 3-point range in a 42-point loss to Grand Valley State, the Hawks managed to make just 4 of 24 3-point attempts in a 75-62 loss…

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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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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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Photo gallery: QU women’s volleyball team outlasts Indianapolis in four sets

Quincy University's Alice Pavan, left, and Susanna Beretti put up a block during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference match against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team took advantage of its return to Pepsi Arena to get its season right back on track. The Hawks, coming off back-to-back losses, beat Indianapolis 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19 on Friday night. Quincy is 24-3 overall and 10-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. QU outside hitter Emma…

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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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Officiating blunders leave QU football coaches, players angry and frustrated following loss

Quincy University football coach Gary Bass will be submitting video evidence to the Great Lakes Valley Conference office illustrating missed calls by the officiating crew during Saturday's 41-34 loss to McKendree at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy University football coach Gary Bass is fighting mad. Everyone in the Great Lakes Lakes Conference administration, especially Mike McCann, who is the league’s supervisor of football officials, is going to hear and see why. The Hawks suffered a 41-34 loss to McKendree on Saturday at QU Stadium. Bass won’t deny his team…

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Quincy University athletics to host Halloween with the Hawks

QUINCY — The Quincy University athletic department will host its annual Halloween with the Hawks from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday on the football side of QU Stadium. This community event provides a safe environment for kids to trick-or-treat while interacting with QU student-athletes and coaching staff. Families are welcome to come join the QU…

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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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Ground and pound: Hawks control line of scrimmage, flatten Cardinals with running game

Quincy University running back JQ Brown runs away from the William Jewell defense on a 68-yard touchdown burst to open Saturday's game in Liberty, Mo. | Photo courtesy Jeb Jarman

LIBERTY, Mo. — After the Quincy University football team rushed for more than 200 yards against Truman State, Hawks coach Gary Bass figured he needed to see his offensive linemen in a different light. “I was like, ‘Damn, maybe that group’s better than I give them credit for,’” he said. Saturday, they delivered another statement…

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