QUINCY, Ill. – For the first time since the 1999-2000 season, Coach Steve Hawkins was back on the sidelines in a very familiar spot. Coach Hawkins was the head coach from 1990-2000 and Wednesday, November 16^th was the first time he was coaching a game in Pepsi Arena.

The Hawks defeated the Hannibal – LaGrange Trojans by the score of 88-51.

Right from the tip, the offense for QU was in full sync as they jumped out to a 12-0 lead as they hit six of their first eight shots. The lead grew to as large as 18 points at the under 8 media timeout. Jamaurie Coakley made it a 35-15 contest with five minutes left in the half on an offensive put back. QU led by 16 at the halftime break as Malik Hardmon had 11 of his 18 points in the opening half to lead the Hawks. Zion Richardson was also in double figures in the first half with 10.

Paul Zilinskas had the first four points of the second half to extend the lead to 42-21 just two minutes in. Back-to-back three-pointers by Connor Davis and Orlando Thomas extended the lead some more to a 26 point margin. As the lead grew to over 30 points, the Hawks got some impressive production of their bench. The QU bench outscored the HLGU bench 46 to 13.

QU hits the road this weekend for two games in the Pitsburg State Thanksgiving Classic, starting on Friday, November 18^th vs the hosts Pitsburg State.

Game Leaders
Malik Hardmon: 18 points, 7 rebounds
Zion Richardson: 13 points (3-3 3-pt)