EMPORIA, Kan. - The Quincy University women's basketball team suffered a setback on the road Tuesday night, falling 75–62 to Emporia State after an explosive third quarter from the Hornets swung the game firmly in the home team's favor at White Auditorium.

Quincy, entering the contest as one of the most efficient offensive teams in Division II, struggled to find a rhythm early. After the two teams battled evenly through the opening seven minutes, Emporia State used a late push to grab control of the first quarter. A 6–3 run in the final moments sent the Hawks into the break trailing 20–13, as Quincy shot just 4-for-16 from the floor and turned the ball over five times in the opening ten minutes.

The Hawks responded with energy and execution in the second quarter, turning the game on its head. Quincy opened the period on a 10–3 run, sparked by four early points from Acheampomaa Danso and back-to-back three-pointers from Olivia Lawson and Reagan Reed. Freshman Hayven Harden then scored her first collegiate basket, giving Quincy its first lead since the game's opening minute. Katey Flynn took over down the stretch, scoring eight points in the final five minutes as the Hawks closed the half on another run. Quincy outscored the Hornets 22–8 in the quarter and carried a 35–28 advantage into halftime after shooting an efficient 64 percent from the floor and 75 percent from beyond the arc in the period.

Any momentum Quincy built before the break disappeared quickly in the third quarter. Although the Hawks still held a six-point lead three minutes into the second half following a layup by Hampton Williams, Emporia State began to impose its will. Even after Reed drilled a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 46–41, the Hornets closed the quarter on a 19–4 run. Emporia State recorded 32 points in the frame while converting 14 of its 22 shot attempts, flipping a deficit into a commanding 60–50 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Hornets carried that burst into the final period, scoring the opening seven points to stretch the margin to 17. Quincy continued to compete but was unable to cut the deficit into single digits, as Emporia State controlled the tempo and closed out the game for a 75–62 victory.

The night marked Quincy's toughest shooting performance of the season despite the blistering second-quarter efficiency. The Hawks finished at 38.2 percent from the field, while Emporia State shot 46 percent overall. Quincy knocked down eight three-pointers on 19 attempts, but the difference came inside the arc, where Emporia State held a commanding 40–20 advantage in points in the paint. Turnovers again loomed large, as Quincy committed 22 for the evening, its third game this season with 20 or more. The rebounding battle was nearly even at 37–35, but the Hornets made their offensive possessions count, collecting 16 offensive boards, which led to 17 second-chance points.

Danso led Quincy in scoring with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting while also posting a career-high four steals on the defensive end. The Hawks' bench was a bright spot, producing a season-best 23 points, led by Reed's eight-point effort in just 15 minutes of action while also grabbing six rebounds for her third straight game with six or more boards. Karly Peters chipped in six points and dished out a team-high five assists, while Flynn and Williams each added nine points.

Quincy will look to regroup quickly as the Hawks return home on Monday, December 1, to begin GLVC play inside Pepsi Arena against Upper Iowa. Opening tip is set for 5:30 PM.