Romeoville, Ill. - The Quincy University women's basketball team suffered a road loss on Thursday evening (Feb. 27) to the nationally ranked Flyers of Lewis University. A slow second quarter for the Hawks helped the Flyers to a 66-63 win in an otherwise even game.
It was a tight game throughout the first quarter with the Flyers making the first basket and the Hawks quick to follow.
Karsyn Stratton gave the Hawks the first lead of the game with a three pointer on the wing. The teams traded off baskets throughout the first quarter, heading into the second even at 16.
Quincy struggled to score in the second quarter, producing just five points on the court all courtesy of
Nicole McDermott. The Flyers were able to bulk their side of the scoreboard with 17 points and took away twelve second-chance opportunities from the Hawks. Quincy went back to the locker room down 12 points at the half.
The Hawks flipped the script in the third, going over 50 percent from the field and forcing Lewis into seven turnovers.
Taylor Haase drew a free throw off her layup at the start of the third that helped the Hawks break down the Flyers' lead.
Janiece Dawson and
Mikayla Huffine sank back-to-back three pointers in the Hawks' ten point run in the heart of the quarter. Quiny took back the lead for the first time since the first quarter when
Nicole McDermott stole the ball and took it straight to the net. The final few minutes of the quarter were dominated by the Flyers, but the Hawks were able to keep it close going into the fourth quarter.
A few quick points for Lewis at the start made it hard for the Hawks to cut the lead, despite exchanging baskets with the Flyers. The Hawks got within two of the Flyers in the final eight seconds on two made free throws from
Cymirah Williams. Lewis extended the lead with a free throw of their own, leaving the Hawks five seconds to tie the game up in the final possession. Haase picked up the rebound and McDermott made the final shot for the Hawks, just missing the three-point play.
McDermott led the Hawks in points with 16, followed by Haase with 13 and Williams with 12. Williams had four steals and pulled down nine boards in tonight's contest, helping her to 1,000 career rebounds.
Taya Stevenson facilitated the Hawks well with four assists.
The Hawks play their final regular season game on Saturday with a matchup against the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis. The Hawks will celebrate Senior Day at the conclusion of the game.
