Quincy Reporter

Behind Matas Martin's 20-point Performance, Hawks Defeat Stars

The Hawks stepped out of conference play on Sunday (December 4) as they hosted the Stephens College Stars. QU made it wins in consecutive games by the score of 76-68.

The Stars jumped out to the early 8-2 lead just over three minutes into the contest. As the Hawks got back into the game, a 7-0 run would give them the 15-14 lead with 90 seconds left in the opening quarter. Stephens College would end up knocking two free throws to take a one point lead into the 2nd quarter.

The 2nd quarter was a back-and-forth affair as neither team wanted to take control of the game. The Stars went up by 4 just a minute into the quarter, but the Hawks answered right back. Beth Matas Martin hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 20. With just over a minute left in the first half, Sarah Nelson gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game to this point at 29-24. They would take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.

Grace Flanagan completed the rare 4-point play to give QU their first double digit lead of the game. The lead would stay between 10 and 12 points most of the quarter, as the Hawks had an answer every time the Stars tried to string possessions together.   

The Stars got to within a single point early in the final stanza, but Matas Martin answered right back with a 3-pointer to give QU a four point lead. Quincy used a 10-4 run over a couple of minutes to stretch the lead back to seven with four and a half minutes left. Matas Martin made all three of her free throws after she was fouled on a 3-point shot to give the Hawks an eight point lead.

The Hawks return to GLVC play on Saturday, December 10th as they travel to nationally-ranked Drury University for a 1:00 p.m. tip. 

Original source can be found here