QUINCY, Ill. – It was a battle of the Hawks inside Pepsi Arena, but Rockhurst University pulled away late for an 82-69 victory over Quincy on Thursday night. The dynamic duo of Drenin Dinkins and Jaylen Wesley showed why they are one of the top one-two punches in the nation, combining for 45 points to lead the Hawks of RU to the win.

The opening 11 minutes could not have been more evenly matched, as neither team led by more than three points. Quincy held a slim 20-19 advantage during the stretch, sparked by Tiernan Stynes, who scored eight early points. Rockhurst countered behind Dinkins, who poured in nine points in the opening minutes.

The game remained tight late into the first half as Stynes continued to keep Quincy within striking distance offensively. Wesley provided a quick spark for Rockhurst, scoring five points in a 35-second span to push RU's lead to its largest of the half at 36-28. Quincy responded with a strong close to the half, using a 7-2 run to pull back within three. Stynes knocked down his third triple of the half to give him 18 first-half points, while Ethan Bolton and Ethyn Brown each finished inside to cut the deficit to 38-35 heading into the break.

Rockhurst shot 48.4 percent in the opening half compared to 37.8 percent for Quincy, but the remaining statistics were nearly even as neither team could fully separate.

Rockhurst came out firing to open the second half, using a 12-3 run over the first four minutes to extend its lead to 12. Wesley and Dinkins each scored five points during the burst as RU quickly regained control.

The teams continued to trade baskets until the under-nine-minute mark, but Quincy was unable to trim the deficit to single digits, trailing 62-51.

The final eight minutes featured a parade to the free-throw line for both sides, which accounted for much of Quincy's scoring down the stretch. Rockhurst continued to execute offensively, consistently knocking down shots to maintain its double-digit advantage.

Quincy battled until the final horn, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as Rockhurst secured the 82-69 victory.

Rockhurst finished the night shooting an efficient 51.7 percent from the field and 55.0 percent from three-point range. Quincy shot 39.0 percent overall and 27.3 percent from deep. The Hawks won the rebounding battle, 39-34, and turnovers were even at 12 apiece, but Rockhurst's offensive efficiency made the difference.

Quincy placed four players in double figures, led by Stynes with 24 points. Bolton followed with 19 points, Brown added 11, and Herb Martin reached double figures for the second time this season. Outside of those four, Quincy managed just five combined points, including an off night from leading scorer Camren Kincaid, who finished 1-for-7 from the field with two points.

Dinkins and Wesley combined for 45 points for Rockhurst, with two additional players scoring 13 points apiece as RU also finished with four players in double figures.

Quincy will look to snap a three-game skid and return to the win column on Saturday, January 31, when the Hawks host Southwest Baptist at Pepsi Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM, following the women's game.