Quincy, Ill. - The Quincy University women's basketball team hosted the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds this Thursday evening (Feb. 15). The Hawks put fans through quite a rollercoaster but ended with the underhand, losing 71-68.
The Hawks did not have a hot start, despite a lively crowd in attendance for the "Pack Pepsi" event. The Hawks fell behind fast, at one point chasing a deficit of fifteen points. The Greyhounds capitalized from Hawks turnovers and shooting in the paint during the first half of play. The Hawks put themselves in a tough spot in the second quarter, having only scored two baskets in ten minutes of play. With the halftime score reading 41-16, the Hawks needed a new energy for the second half.
Something sparked in the Hawks during the halftime break and pushed them to score 30 points in just ten minutes, the most they have ever scored in a quarter this season.
Janiece Dawson scored back-to-back three-pointers while
Cymirah Williams dominated under the basket. A sea of Hawks fans roared in Pepsi, helping give the Hawks confidence going into the final quarter of play.
Quincy cut the once deficit of 25 down to zero within the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. The Hawks battled with the Greyhounds taking them point for point in the final minutes of the game. An Indianpolis basket from downtown put the Greyhounds ahead at the 35-second mark. Despite a layup from Williams, the Greyhounds received a gift of two free throws in the final ten seconds to seal the deal.
Three Hawks scored over 15 points--Williams (18), Dawson (17), and
Mariann Blass (16). Williams had another impressive game with 16 rebounds, a block and a steal in addition to her 18 points. Williams creeps up the NCAA leadership board with 11 double doubles this season, as of now, putting her in the Top 15.
The Hawks look to bounce back this Saturday against Lewis University at 1 pm. The Hawks will be hosting "Play for Kay," and designating the game as a "Pink Out." Donations and t-shirt sales at the game will go toward breast cancer awareness.
