Quincy, Ill. - The Quincy University women's basketball team started the weekend off with a 12-point win over the Bearcats of McKendree University on Thursday night (Feb. 20). The Hawks took their first win over the Bearcats in two years with an 88-76 victory. 

Quincy kept McKendree locked down from the start. The Hawks' defense kept the Bearcats to just six free throw points until the final seconds of the first quarter, allowing a close-range jumper from the Bearcats' starting forward. On the flipside, Quincy went on a 12-point run to start the game off, courtesy of five Hawks players. The Hawks picked up 15 rebounds in the first, five from Taya Stevenson and four from Cymirah Williams. 

The Hawks struggled to find their groove at the start of the second. Williams got the Hawks on the board again with a layup four possessions in. Quincy had one of their best three-point shooting quarters in a few games with Stevenson sinking two, broken up by a three-pointer from Nicole McDermott. Despite a better quarter from the Bearcats on offense, the Hawks were able to take their lead to 19 by the end of the half. 

Quincy was bested from the field coming out of the locker room. McKendree sank eight shots from the field, three from the key, and brought down more rebounds than the Hawks after a halftime chat. The first five minutes were Williams, scoring all six points for the Hawks during that time. Taylor Haase, Stevenson, and McDermott rounded out the scoring for the Hawks in the final three and a half minutes, helping maintain a sizable lead going into the final quarter.

Mariann Blass started the fourth with a three pointer of her own, her first of the game. Karysn Stratton took away the Bearcats' first possession and helped the Hawks to two more points shortly after. With each basket from the Bearcats, the Hawks responded with one of their own. Quincy went into the bonus early and capitalized on six straight free throws. Janiece Dawson's three pointer from the left wing gave the Hawks their highest lead of the game, 21 points. Despite a Bearcats 9-0 run at the end, the Hawks stayed ahead, securing their 15th straight win of the season. 

McDermott led the Hawks with 19 points and two assists. Williams claimed another double-double on 17 points and 11 rebounds and went 8-12 from the field. Williams also surpassed 700 career rebounds at QU. Stevenson added 12 points, six from beyond the key and six from the line; Stevenson also nabbed seven rebounds in the game. Stratton led the Hawks with six assists and three steals. 

The Hawks stay atop the rankings in the conference, sat at the two-spot behind Lewis. Quincy will face Maryville on Saturday at 1 p.m.