SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - After a six day hiatus from taking the court, the Hawks traveled to the states capital to take on University of Illinois-Springfield who sits at third in the conference standings. QU remained in striking distance trailing 35-27, but a 14 point scoring edge in the second half gave the Prairie Stars a 78-56 victory. 

UIS opened the game on a 10-0 scoring run, adding eight more points following the Hawks first bucket from Isaiah Foster to lead it 18-2 just after the first media timeout. QU responded with 11 straight points to narrow the margin to 18-13 capped by a pair of free throws from Nate Shockey at the 11:40 mark of the first half. 

A little under four minutes later a jumper from Zion Richardson completed the 16 point comeback and gave Quincy a 23-22 lead. The Hawks led as late as 4:39 in the first on a three-pointer from Foster to make it 27-26, but a 9-0 run from the Prairie Stars to close the half found QU chasing eight points down 35-27. 

Quincy opened the second half with a 9-6 advantage in scoring to trim the deficit to five at 41-36 heading into the first media timeout of the second frame. Illinois-Springfield answered by knocking down three shots from deep in just over a minute to replenish the lead to 50-36. 

It was tough sledding for the Hawks from that point on as UIS went on to take the contest 78-56. 

Foster and Shockey led QU in scoring with 14 apiece along with Foster leading the team in rebounds, pulling down 6 boards. Zion Richardson was the last Hawk in double figures, scoring 12 on the night. 

Next up for Quincy is a trip south to Springfield, MO to take on the Panthers of Drury University on Thursday evening (Jan. 25). Tip-off for the GLVC showdown is slated for 7:30 PM.