QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University women's basketball team used a fast start to earn its first victory of the season. The Hawks defeated Missouri Western 59-45 behind 15 points by Alexa Low. 

Play by Play
1st Quarter
The Hawks started things off on the right foot. Forward Alexa Low converted on a mid-range jump shot to kick-start the offense. On the next possession, Low made a three-point play on an and-one to put QU ahead 7-2. 

Maddie Spagnola quickly made her presence felt. The sophomore scored seven points in two minutes to extend Quincy's lead to 19-6 with three minutes to play in the first quarter. 

Kennedy Price came off the bench and knocked in a 3-pointer just before the end of the first period. The Hawks led 24-8 going into the second quarter.

2nd Quarter
Michaela Gronewold made a 3-pointer attempt to push QU's lead to over twenty. The Hawks held a 29-8 lead with seven minutes left. 

Alexa Low continued her productive start with a pair of free throws. She then made a jump shot on the next possession to make the score 34-12. 

The Hawks defense showed up to play in the first half. Quincy forced 15 turnovers in the first two quarters which helped create scoring opportunities on the other end. 

Jessica Merino and Taylor Hickey scored with less than a minute in the quarter. The Hawks led 44-20 going into halftime. 

3rd Quarter
Quincy continued its offensive efficiency at the start of the half. Taylor Hickey and Grace Schrafnagel netted early shots to push their lead to 51-25. 

Missouri Western made a 5-0 run to bring the score to 51-31. 

The Hawks held a 53-36 lead going into the final quarter.

4th Quarter
Quincy's hot shooting at the start of the game went cold in the fourth. 

The Griffons outscored QU 8-2 in the first four minutes of the quarter to make it a 53-39 game. 

It took over three minutes for the next made shot. The Griffons made a three to make the score 53-42. 

Both teams exchanged baskets on their next possessions which made the score 55-44 with under two minutes left. 

Quincy held a 56-44 lead with under a minute to play when the officials went to the replay after a tie-up at mid court. After the replay, the referees decided that there was an unsportsmanlike foul on Maddie Spagnola. 

Missouri Western made one of the two free-throws and got the ball back after the call. Quincy remained in the lead 56-45 with 30 seconds to play. 

The Hawks fended off the Griffons with made free throws at the end. 

QU got its first win of the 2018 season by the score of 59-45. 

Stat Leaders
Alexa Low - 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals
Maddie Spagnola - 11 points

QU's Record
1-4

Up Next
Women's basketball will play next on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Hannibal-LaGrange in Pepsi Arena.