KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Survive and advance is a term thrown around a lot in March Madness but that is exactly what the Truman Women's Basketball team did on Monday night in the Pershing Arena as the #4-seed Bulldogs used a fourth quarter push to outlast #13 Quincy (Ill.) 67-62 in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. 

Quincy had the upper edge early on and led 23-16 after the first quarter. Quincy hit their first five of eight three-point attempts. 

The Hawks did not score again until 2:50 of the second quarter but was able to maintain their lead. 

Truman finally drew even in the third on free throws by Gracie Stugart but QU fired right back with five straight and led by four heading into the final quarter.

The energy and the intensity picked up and Hannah Pinkston hit a running lay-up to give the Bulldogs the 50-48 lead.

Ellie Weltha got the crowd rolling with consecutive three-pointers from the identical spot on the floor and Truman led 58-54. Allison Thomas extended the lead with a hoop and it was 60-54 Truman with 3:05 showing.

The Hawks fought back and scored six straight and Regan Laconte tied the game at 60 with 2:00 minutes.

Katey Klucking hit a left wing three-pointer on Truman's next possession and after a pair of empty possessions a steal by Truman led to free throws by Hannah Belanger with 17.9 seconds remaining.

The junior converted to make it a five-point game and scored 16 for the game.

Quincy wasted precious time and Sarah Nelson got a foul called but with 2.2 seconds.

Both teams hit free throws in the final seconds with Weltha connecting to finish the game and 20 points. 

Weltha added 11 defensive rebounds for the double-double and Truman made all 12 of their free throw attempts. 

Quincy got 18 points from Dami Adeyinka.

Truman will head to Edwardsville, Illinois for the noon game on Friday against #5-seed Lewis (Ill.) University. The Bulldogs swept the season series against the Flyers.