Last-second free throws give JWCC women spark that ignites final push to victory

John Wood Community College sophomore guard Grace Deters drives to the basket during the second half of Wednesday night's game against Carl Sandburg College at the Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The spark that spurred the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team’s second-half run against Carl Sandburg College on Wednesday was just as effective as it was unusual. With the Trail Blazers leading 62-60 in the waning seconds of the third quarter, Kylee Barry stole the ball from the Chargers’ Gabbie Vontz. Barry…

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Oetting goes 14 of 14 from line, including eight in final 45 seconds, in victory for C-SC women

Culver-Stockton's Avery Oetting, shown defending a Baker player, made 14 of 14 free throws and scored 25 points in Saturday's victory at Charles Field House in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College Athletics

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team scored 54 first-half points to take a big lead, then needed Avery Oetting to make all 10 of her free throws in the final four minutes of the game to seal an 82-72 victory over Baker in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game on Saturday…

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Fourth-quarter surge allows QU women’s basketball team to rally to split weekend slate

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott drives the baseline during Saturday's game against Washburn in the Hansen Spear Funeral Home Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Washburn guard Peyton Sterk’s 3-pointer half a minute into the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon could have been the dagger in a winless weekend for the Quincy University women’s basketball team. Instead, it brought out the fight in the Hawks. Mariann Blass answered with a 3-pointer that ignited a 24-point burst over the final…

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Haase’s big effort pushes Hawks to weekend sweep and perfect start to season

Quincy University forward Taylor Haase scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Saturday's victory over Cedarville in the GMAC/GLVC Regional Crossover in Cedarville, Ohio. | Matt Schuckman photo

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Game by game, the Quincy University women’s basketball team is erasing eight seasons of frustration and futility. After opening the season with a four-point victory Friday night — the Hawks hadn’t won a season opener since 2015 — they completed a weekend sweep in the GMAC/GLVC Regional Crossover by beating Cedarville 76-55…

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‘I knew I wanted to be in this community’: Schwagmeyer-Belger brings instant credibility to JWCC women’s basketball coaching job

Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger addresses the crowd gathered Friday at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center after she was formally introduced as JWCC's new women's basketball coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With a limited window between John Wood Community College calling a press conference and Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger being introduced as the new women’s basketball coach — less than 24 hours in fact — she didn’t expect much of a crowd to gather Friday afternoon. Seeing family, friends and her high school coach in attendance…

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Schuck on a Truck: WIU’s Gravina discusses success on hardwood, Christmas holiday

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University women’s basketball team is rolling. The Leathernecks have won seven consecutive games heading into Sunday’s matchup at Missouri-Kansas City. An experienced corps of players who understand their role and the emergence of a high-scoring freshman have been the right combination for success. WIU coach JD Gravina joined Muddy…

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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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Gravina reaches coaching milestone as Leathernecks continue strong start to season

Western Illinois University women's basketball coach JD Gravina won the 300th game of his coaching career with Tuesday night's 86-72 victory over Chicago State in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — JD Gravina’s career victory total is at 300 and counting. A strong start to the season by the Western Illinois University women’s basketball team helped the former Quincy University coach reach his milestone moment. Tuesday night’s 86-72 victory over Chicago State at Western Hall featured Anna Deets scoring seven of the Leathernecks’…

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Cold-shooting third quarter dooms QU women

Quincy University forward Sarah Nelson, right, holds the ball as she sets up her defender while trying to score during Thursday night's game against Rockhurst at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — After opening up a five-point lead coming out of the half, the Quincy University women’s basketball team seemed to have the momentum to go on an even bigger run. But Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Rockhurst hammered the glass as Quincy struggled to score for the remainder of the game, falling to Rockhurst…

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Photo gallery: Culver-Stockton College women vs. MidAmerica Nazarene

Culver-Stockton's Katie Webb (on ground in gray) fights with MidAmerica Nazarene's Bi'Anna Pettis for possession of the ball during Saturday's game at Joe Charles Field House. | Photo courtesy of Lisa Wigoda

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team lost a Heart of America Athletic Conference game 80-74 in three overtimes to MidAmerica Nazarene at Joe Charles Field House on Saturday afternoon. Correspondent Lisa Wigoda captured the action through her camera lens. Check out her photo gallery:

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Scoreboard for Friday, November 5

Men’s Basketball At Sedalia, Mo. John Wood Community College 92, Central Methodist JV 71: The Trail Blazers, ranked 14th in the NJCAA Division II preseason national poll, opened their season with a balanced effort. Sophomore forward Ryan Anglin led JWCC with 22 points, while Ja’Veon Taylor had 14 points and Jarvis Jennings added 13. The…

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Fans help generate atmosphere for Hawks as Hoopfest offers preseason glimpse

The opening tip of the Quincy University men's basketball team's scrimmage during Thursday night's Hawks Hoopfest signaled the return of fans to Pepsi Arena. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When you count the number of days since either the Quincy University men’s or women’s basketball team played in front of fans at Pepsi Arena, you realize how much a night to get reacclimated to the atmosphere was needed. And if the regular-season crowd mimics the energy felt in the venerable facility Thursday…

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