KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - The Quincy University men's basketball team took on the Oilers of Findlay University on Saturday (Nov. 11) to conclude the Hawks showing at the GLVC-GMAC Crossover. QU led at the half, but came from behind down the stretch in a 71-65 victory to pick up the first win on the 2023-24 campaign.
Two layups from
Orlando Thomas opened the scoring in the contest and kicked off a huge run for the Hawks to start the game. Just under six minutes into the contest, QU built a 13-point advantage, leading it 15-2.
Findlay cut the lead to five heading into the second media timeout, prompting a three from
Isaiah Foster and two free throws from
Mason Wujek to replenish the lead to double digits, 20-10.
Quincy furthered the lead to as many as 13, but an 11-3 run from the Oilers to close out the frame cut the QU lead to five at 32-27 heading into the halftime break.
UF came out firing to start the second half, erasing the deficit and knotting the tally at 37-37 at the 16:24 mark and taking its first lead of the game shortly after, 39-27.
The Hawks answered with a 14-3 run to take a nine-point advantage into the second media timeout. Three minutes later, the Oilers took back the lead 52-51.
Later in the half, trailing 62-60, a jumper from Foster and two free throws from
Nate Shockey put QU ahead 64-62. A layup from Wujek put the Hawks up four in the final minute.
Three free throws from Findlay cut the lead to one at 66-65 with 29 seconds remaining, but the Hawks got the stops they needed and converted from the charity stripe down the stretch to knock off the Oilers 71-65.
The Hawks shot over 46% from the field as a team (26-56) while holding UF to a 35% (21-60) clip. Foster led the scoring effort for Quincy with 16, joined in double figures by
Zion Richardson with 13.
Ibrahim Drame finished a point shy of a double-double and paced QU with 10 boards.
Up next for Quincy is a home date with the Spartans of Hannibal-LaGrange University on Wednesday (Nov. 15). Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM at Pepsi Arena for the Hawks home opener.