The Quincy University women’s basketball team pushed the No. 2 seed to the brink but ultimately fell short in overtime during the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.

The Hawks forced overtime against Maryville University after a clutch shot in the final seconds of regulation, but foul trouble and a late offensive surge by the Saints led to an 87-81 loss that ended Quincy’s season.

With just 11 seconds remaining in regulation, junior guard Katey Flynn knocked down a 3-point shot to tie the game and send it into overtime, giving the Hawks new life in a tightly contested matchup.

Despite the momentum, Quincy struggled to contain Maryville in the extra period. The Hawks were hampered by foul trouble, allowing the Saints to capitalize offensively and pull away late to secure the victory.

The loss marks the end of the season for Quincy, which finished with a 15-13 record.

It also closes the collegiate careers of three seniors: Acheampomaa Danso, Hampton Williams and Sydney Runsewe. The trio helped lead the Hawks throughout the season and played key roles in guiding the team to a postseason appearance.

For Runsewe, the opportunity to compete in the conference tournament alongside her teammates made the season especially meaningful.

“It was a great experience to compete in the GLVC tournament with my team. As a senior, I will cherish every moment we shared as a team. I am very grateful we put up a good fight and gave it our all,” Runsewe said.

Junior Blair Eftink said reaching the tournament was a major accomplishment for the team, especially after the effort they put in throughout the year.

“It was super exciting for us to be able to go and play in the tournament, it was my first time being able to go, so it was really fun to experience that with my teammates. It meant a lot to us because we have worked hard all season to be able to get to this point,” Eftink said.

The Hawks also relied on contributions from younger players, including freshman Hayven Harden, who quickly became an important piece of the team’s lineup during her first collegiate season.

Harden said the tournament provided the team with an opportunity to prove itself after being picked near the bottom of the conference in preseason rankings.

“The trip to the GLVC tournament felt like another opportunity to prove to people we belong there despite being a brand-new team, we got to show our talent,” Harden said.

Adjusting to the collegiate level presented challenges early in the season, Harden said, particularly when competing against more experienced players. However, support from her teammates helped build her confidence.

“For it being my first year in college, it was scary at first having to play against much older girls, but my teammates always hyped me up and always made me feel like I should be playing on the court with them,” Harden said.

Although the Hawks’ season ended in the first round of the tournament, the team looks poised for the future. Quincy is expected to return 14 players next season, providing a strong foundation as the program looks to build on this year’s postseason appearance.