SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Quincy University women's basketball team traveled to Springfield to take on the nationally ranked Panthers of Drury University on Saturday (Dec. 10) for a 1:00 p.m. GLVC contest. Despite a solid rebounding and shooting performance, turnovers proved to be too much for the Hawks as they fell to seventh-ranked Drury 77-55.

The Hawks played some stingy defense in the first quarter holding the Panthers to 35% shooting in the frame. Even though they were outscored 21-10, they shot 7% higher than their foes. QU was also hard at work on the boards opening a slight 10-9 advantage in the rebounding category in the frame.

The 21-10 lead for Drury in the first quarter was built by forcing 13 Quincy turnovers. The DU defensive unit applied the pressure early with a swarming full court press from the get-go that the Hawks struggled to find an answer for in the period.

Two and a half minutes into the second quarter down 25-15 QU put together a seven-point run on two buckets from Rylee Denbow and a jumper form Beth Matas Martin to draw within three at 22-25.

Drury pressed their lead to eight nearing the break but with 5 second left Beth Matas Martin caught an inbounds pass, dribbled past the mid court, had it tipped away, fumbled with a Drury defender to regain control while on the move at the volleyball line, corralled the ball just outside the three point line and threw up a high floater circus shot from a step inside three point territory as she fell over with the clock expiring that hit the bottom of the net pulling the Hawks to within six at 34-28 at the half.

At the half, QU had out rebounded the Panthers 20-14, outshot them 50% to 37% and collected more assists 7-5. Although Quincy cut their turnovers to 5 in the second period, they committed 18 in the first half compared to 6 from Drury presenting the biggest difference-maker of the half.

After a mostly subdued first half, DU hit its stride in the third quarter shooting 50% outscoring the Hawks 23-13 in those 10 minutes. Through three quarters the Panthers forced 27 turnovers converting them into 31 points.

Quincy was able to stay within striking distance at under 10 for most of the frame but Drury turned up the heat in the final four minutes to press the lead to 16 by the end of the third.

Despite QU still holding a sizable advantage on the glass in the rebound category, they struggled to keep up with their nationally ranked foe.

The Hawks will be back on their home hard court of Pepsi Arena for their next game against Purdue Northwest on Friday (Dec. 16) for a 6:00 p.m. contest with the Lions.
 
Game Leaders
Rylee Denbow – 11 Points
Beth Matas Martin – 9 Points
Sarah Nelson – 8 Points 7 Rebounds