Hawks heat up, take down Nanooks to head home from Alaska with momentum

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Quincy University men’s basketball team finally warmed up.

The hope is the trend continues back in a place where the early winter temperatures seem more normal.

The Hawks went 7 of 9 from 3-point range in building an eight-point halftime lead against Alaska-Fairbanks in their final game of the Seawolves Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday at Alaska Airlines Center. Then, they buried two critical treys during a 13-6 stretch to close out an 83-76 victory.

It sends Quincy home with a 4-2 record, a split of its two games on the trip to the 49th state and some needed momentum heading into Great Lakes Valley Conference play.

“This team has some resilience with their backs against the wall,” QU coach Ryan Hellenthal said after the Hawks played with the high temperature below zero Sunday. “We’re learning how to handle success and learning how to win. Guys made plays down the stretch to be able to steal momentum. I thought our extra multiple effort plays were huge.”

After seeing the halftime lead evaporate, the Hawks needed a tide-turning moment.

Credit the longest-tenured Hawk for providing it.

Redshirt junior forward Adam Moore buried a 3-pointer from in front of the QU bench with 4:15 to play in regulation to give the Hawks a 78-72 lead. Quincy grabbed two offensive rebounds on its next possession, leading to a layin for Moore with 3:22 to go.

The Nanooks scored just three points thereafter as the offensive energy led to solid defensive play. Fairbanks went 1 of 7 down the stretch, missed two free throws and a turnover.

All-American guard Shadeed Shabazz, who finished with 37 points, went 1 of 4 from the field with a turnover and a technical foul in the closing stretch.

“It’s another growth piece for this team,” Hellenthal said.

Malik Hardmon led the Hawks with 23 points and 10 rebounds, going 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. Moore finished with three 3-pointers made and 15 points, while Jamaurie Coakley had 11 assists, seven points and seven rebounds.

Quincy finished with 19 assists on 28 field goals.

The Hawks earn a couple days to adjust to more normal temperatures before starting GLVC play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Lindenwood at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

The first home GLVC game with be December 10 against Missouri-St. Louis at Pepsi Arena.

“I’m excited about coming home,” Hellenthal said.