QUINCY, Ill. - Michaela Gronewold's first basket of the game could not have come at a better time for the Quincy University women's basketball team Monday night (Jan. 15).
Gronewold beat the buzzer with a fast break layup to give the Hawks a 75-73 win over the Maryville Saints.
The first quarter success for the Hawks continued Monday night as QU outscored Maryville 26-18 in the opening 10 minutes of action. Alexa Low, Anika Webster, and Julia Ruzevich paced the Hawks, scoring 21 of the Hawks 26 first quarter points.
QU held an 11 point with 4:29 to play in the first half after a Jessie Rabas layup. The Saints went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to two with 2:16 remaining in the quarter.
Julia Ruzevich would put the Hawks up three with a layup at the buzzer to send the Hawks into the locker room leading 43-40.
Maryville took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 24-12 in the third quarter and held a 64-55 lead at the end of three quarters of play.
The Hawks trailed by as many as 11 with 9:41 to play.
A 7-0 run by QU brought the lead to 66-62. The Saints were able to extend the lead back to nine after a pair of baskets and a Hawks turnover.
The Hawks trailed by eight with 4:02 remaining in the game.
Jessie Rabas led the comeback for the Hawks, scoring seven points in two minutes and 41 seconds. Rabas tied the game on a free-throw with 28 seconds to play.
The Saints had a chance to take the lead with 14 seconds remaining. A jumper from just inside the free throw line was off the mark and Aleksandra Petrovic pulled down the rebound.
Petrovic found Gronewold streaking down the court. Gronewold laid the ball off the glass just as time expired and the Hawks were victorious 75-73.
Anika Webster led the Hawks with 19 points. Rabas scored 14 points, seven in the final quarter. Julia Ruzevich and Alexa Low each scored 13 points.
The Hawks shot over 50% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.
QU improved to 6-10, 2-5 in the GLVC.
The Hawks are back in action on Thursday (Jan 18.) against McKendree in Lebanon, IL. The Hawks return home Saturday, January 20, at 1:00 p.m. in Pepsi Arena.
