Quincy, Ill. - In one of the most electric atmospheres Pepsi Arena has seen in years, the Quincy University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with No. 23 Findlay, falling just short in a heartbreaking 75–74 thriller. The Hawks controlled long stretches of the game, led by multiple double-digit performances and clutch shot-making, but a late Findlay layup with 13 seconds remaining proved to be the difference.

Quincy came out fearless and immediately put #23 Findlay on its heels, opening the night with a stunning 8–0 burst. Ethyn Brown set the tone by finishing through contact in the paint, and Tiernan Stynes followed with back-to-back attacks at the rim as the Hawks dictated the tempo early. Quincy's aggressive downhill mindset powered the lead out to 13–4 before the Oilers finally settled in and began to counter, trimming the margin to 15–10 with 13 minutes left in the half.

Just when Findlay threatened to flip the momentum, Max Booher reignited the Hawks with a timely three at the 12-minute mark, then drilled another moments later to stretch the advantage to 25–17. Jacob Collicott added one more jolt late in the period with a deep triple, helping Quincy keep pace in a high-energy half. Despite the national ranking and the outside expectations, the Hawks went into the locker room very much alive, trailing only 42–40 at the break.

The second half opened with a noticeable shift in pace as Findlay came out firing, stringing together a run that pushed the Oilers ahead 50–42 with 17 minutes to play. But Quincy refused to fold. Ethyn Brown buried a much-needed three to halt the momentum, then came up with a timely steal that jump-started another push. The Hawks continued to chip away, trimming the deficit to 56–52 with 11 minutes remaining and keeping the nationally ranked Oilers within striking distance.

Every time Findlay pushed the lead to 6–8 points, Quincy countered. Seven straight points from Stynes and a Booher jumper kept QU within striking distance.

QU finally broke through with four minutes left. Brown finished strong at the rim and then drilled a mid-range to bring the Hawks within two. On the next defensive stand, Wallingford jumped a passing lane and was fouled, but converted only one of two free throws to get the Hawks within one with a little over two minutes to play.

Moving down the stretch, Brown's late-game composure was exceptional. He hit four clutch free throws, including tying the game at 73–73, then putting QU in front 74–73 with 34 seconds left. 

But Findlay had one last answer. Findlay's starting guard slipped through traffic and hit a difficult contested layup with 13 seconds remaining, flipping the score to 75–74.

The Hawks had a final chance, but Brown lost his footing attacking the right side of the lane, and Findlay secured the loose ball to escape Quincy with a narrow victory.

Quincy shot the ball well, finishing 27–61 (44.3%) from the field and 14–18 (77.8%) at the free-throw line. The Hawks won the rebounding battle 43–30, including 16 offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. Turnovers (20) proved costly, as Findlay turned them into 20 points the other way. Findlay hit 9 threes and finished 31–71 (43.7%), relying heavily on bench production to generate enough offense in key stretches.

Individually, Ethyn Brown delivered a fantastic outing, leading QU with 19 points, including several momentum-changing buckets in the second half and clutch free throws down the stretch. He also added two rebounds and three steals while constantly pressuring Findlay in transition. Tiernan Stynes was phenomenal early and consistent late, scoring 18 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting day while grabbing four rebounds and adding three assists. His ability to get downhill kept Quincy within striking distance all afternoon.

The Hawks return to Pepsi Arena on Wednesday, November 19, at 7:00 PM, hosting Hannibal-LaGrange as non-conference play continues.