ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Hawks ran into a difficult challenge on the road Saturday afternoon, taking on reigning national champion and current No. 1 Grand Valley State inside one of the toughest environments in Division II. The Lakers showed why they remain the team to beat, handing Quincy a 91–46 loss.
It was a start QU hoped to avoid, as GVSU opened the game on a 14–0 run before the Hawks finally broke through with a
Hayven Harden layup at the 5:47 mark. The first quarter belonged entirely to the Lakers, who shot 50 percent from the floor, went 11-for-12 at the free-throw line, and forced nine QU turnovers on their way to a 27–6 lead after 10 minutes.
The second quarter opened much like the first, with the Lakers pushing the margin with a 14–4 run in the opening five minutes. Quincy closed the half with its best stretch of the day, using an 8–2 push to bring the score to 43–18 at the break.
Quincy put together its most productive offensive frame in the third, scoring 16 points on 40-percent shooting, but Grand Valley State countered with another 27-point quarter fueled by 55-percent shooting and timely transition play. The Lakers extended their lead to 70–34 entering the final period.
The Hawks continued to compete to the final buzzer, but GVSU's depth and defensive pressure proved too much as the Lakers outscored QU 21–12 in the fourth to close out the 91–46 final. The win moved GVSU to 9–0, while Quincy dropped to 4–5.
Grand Valley's defensive intensity dictated the game, as the Lakers held a Quincy offense that entered among the nation's most efficient to just 33 percent shooting and 17 percent from three. GVSU forced 30 turnovers, converting them into a decisive 37 points, while committing only 11 themselves.
Acheampomaa Danso led Quincy with 11 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting performance while adding six rebounds.
Hampton Williams also reached double figures with 11 points and six boards. Harden provided another strong spark off the bench, filling the stat sheet, as she finished with six points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
The Hawks will look to regroup and get back in the win column with one final contest before the holiday break. Quincy returns to action on Thursday, December 18, at 11:00 AM, traveling to Kirksville to take on Truman State. Despite both teams being members of the GLVC, this matchup is designated as a non-conference game.
