QUINCY, Ill. – It took three extra periods to decide, but the Quincy University women's basketball team dropped a triple overtime heartbreaker by a score of 100-99 on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 6) to the Prairie Stars of Illinois-Springfield.
Sophomore forward
Sarah Nelson led the attack for the Hawks with a new career-high 31 points. Nelson also shot 64.7 percent from the field.
Laney Lantz finished with 21 points, knocking down 13-of-14 at the charity stripe.
Dami Adeyinka finished in double figures with 16 points, and
Jazzpher Evans added 12 points.
After a pair of Nelson free throws, the Hawks entered the halftime break trailing 42-35.
In the third period, Quincy exploded offensively, outscoring the Prairie Stars 22-11. On the defensive end, the Hawks held UIS to a meager 26.7 percent from the floor. The Hawks ended the third quarter on a driving floater from Adeyinka to push QU's lead to 57-53.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Quincy's lead grew to nine points after a drop step bucket by Nelson made it 70-61 QU. UIS proceeded to go on an 11-2 run and tied the game at 72 a piece with under a minute remaining.
After an exchange of free throws, Carsen Vance of UIS split a pair at the line to tie the contest at 74-74 with six seconds left. Quincy was unable to make a shot at the buzzer which sent the game into overtime.
The first overtime was filled with free throws as the only points for the Hawks came at the line. Quincy shot 7-of-10, and made just enough to force an extra period of play as the contest was locked even at 81-81 after the first overtime.
In the second overtime, Quincy continued to knock down free throws going 10-of-12. A driving layup from Nelson later gave the Hawks a 91-89 advantage. Quincy followed that up by sinking a pair of free throws and extended their lead to four points. The Prairie Stars converted a free throw and made a three to tie the contest at 93-93, forcing yet another overtime.
In the third and final overtime, a three from the Prairie Stars gave the visitors a 98-95 advantage with just under three minutes remaining. A pair of made free throws from
Dami Adeyinka cut the UIS lead to one.
With under a minute and trailing by three, Nelson powered through contact for a layup, inching the Hawks closer, 100-99. Quincy saw one last opportunity to take the lead, but a pull up jumper from Adeyinka came up short and UIS escaped with the win.
The two teams set NCAA Division II single-game records with 100 free throws attempted and 75 made free throws. The combined 71 personal fouls was one shy of the single-game record for Division II.
Quincy shot 76.8 percent from the free throw line after making 43-of-56 attempts.
Stat Leaders
Sarah Nelson – 31 points and 7 rebounds.
Laney Lantz – 21 points and 2 assists.
Dami Adeyinka – 16 points and 3 assists.
Jazzpher Evans – 12 points 4 rebounds.
Next Game
Quincy will play Truman State in a rescheduled game this Tuesday (Feb. 9) at 5:15 p.m.
