ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The season came to an end for the Quincy University women's basketball team Thursday afternoon, as the Hawks dropped an 87-81 overtime decision to the Saints of Maryville in the GLVC Quarterfinals. In a physical battle that featured more than 50 combined personal fouls, Quincy forced overtime with a late fourth-quarter surge but could not hold off Maryville in the extra session as the Saints advanced to the semifinals in a rematch of last year's GLVC Championship game.

The Saints struck first with an easy basket on their opening possession, but the Hawks quickly seized control. Quincy rattled off a 14-2 run over the next four and a half minutes, sparked by a pair of three-pointers from Blair Eftink and two three-point plays inside from Acheampomaa Danso to take a 14-4 lead at the first media timeout.

Despite the early surge, Maryville answered late in the quarter. After Quincy extended its lead to 16-4, the Saints closed the frame on a 12-0 run over the final two minutes to even the score at 16 heading into the second quarter. Both teams posted similar numbers in the opening period, with Quincy shooting 42.9 percent from the field compared to Maryville's 40 percent. Each team knocked down two three-pointers, but the Saints gained an edge at the free-throw line, converting all six of their attempts.

Offense came at a premium during the opening five minutes of the second quarter, as Maryville shot 3-for-7 and Quincy went 3-for-8 from the field. The Saints held a narrow 26-23 lead midway through the period, while the Hawks found scoring from Eftink's third three-pointer of the game and four points inside from Hayven Harden.

Foul trouble became a major storyline for Quincy late in the quarter. Entering halftime, six Hawks had already picked up at least two fouls, including Maddie Casey and Harden with three each. The teams were even at eight points apiece over the final five minutes, but six of Maryville's points came at the free throw line. In the quarter, the Saints shot just 4-of-13 from the floor but went 8-of-10 from the line, while Quincy shot 6-of-16 and went just 1-of-2 at the stripe. Quincy also committed five turnovers in the period compared to three by Maryville.

The teams continued to battle evenly through the first five minutes of the third quarter with Maryville maintaining a slight 45-42 advantage as foul trouble forced several Hawks to play cautiously.

Maryville then created separation with a quick 7-0 run over just 70 seconds, pushing its lead to double digits at 52-42 with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter. Quincy responded late in the period, highlighted by Eftink's fourth three-pointer of the game, but the Saints carried a 56-47 lead into the final quarter.

Both teams shot over 40 percent from the field in the third, but six Quincy turnovers allowed Maryville to maintain its cushion.

With their season on the line, the Hawks delivered their best offensive stretch of the night. Eftink opened the quarter with her fifth three-pointer, and a jumper from Katey Flynn brought Quincy within three at 64-61 with five minutes remaining.

Maryville responded with a 6-0 run to push the lead back to nine with just under three minutes to play, but Quincy refused to go away. Flynn knocked down the Hawks' eighth three-pointer of the night to halt the Saints' momentum.

As the physical play continued, Quincy capitalized at the free throw line, knocking down four foul shots to pull within a possession with 55 seconds remaining. Following a timeout by Maryville head coach Brita Hand, the Saints ran a patient offense, but star guard Lindsey Schadewalt missed two layups, giving Quincy a final opportunity.

After a timeout by head coach Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger, Flynn delivered in the clutch, drilling a game-tying three-pointer to force overtime. The Hawks dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Maryville 24-15 while shooting 7-of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-9 from the free throw line against the conference's top-ranked defense.

Quincy carried its momentum into overtime and briefly grabbed the lead as Harden provided an offensive spark with both Reagan Reed and Danso fouled out. The Hawks led 78-75 midway through the extra period.

However, the Saints closed the game with a decisive 12-3 run. Quincy struggled to generate offense late, going 1-for-3 with two turnovers in the final minutes as Maryville secured the victory and ended the Hawks' season.

Quincy shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the field, knocked down nine three-pointers, and finished 14-of-18 at the free throw line. Maryville shot 41.5 percent from the floor and also made nine threes, but the difference came at the foul line, where the Saints converted 24 free throws. The Hawks committed 32 personal fouls and had five players foul out during the contest.

Quincy held a 41-35 advantage on the glass, but turnovers proved costly. The Hawks committed 22 turnovers compared to 12 for Maryville, and the Saints converted those opportunities into 27 points.

Five Hawks finished in double figures, led by freshman Karly Peters with 17 points, along with four rebounds and two steals. Eftink followed with 16 points, knocking down five three-pointers for the second time this season. Despite fouling out, Danso closed her outstanding Quincy career with her second double-double of the season, recording 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Flynn finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, including the game-tying three that forced overtime, while Harden added 13 points.

Maryville was led by freshman Claire Lueken with 29 points and eight rebounds. Gracie Gopalan added 20 points while converting 12-of-13 free throws and contributing nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Despite shooting just 4-of-18 from the field, Saints star Lindsey Schadewalt helped guide Maryville to the win.

The 2025-26 season concludes for Quincy with a 15-13 overall record after the Hawks reached the GLVC Tournament for the second consecutive year. Schwagmeyer-Belger and the Hawks will now look ahead and begin preparations for the 2026-27 season.