QUINCY, Ill. - Strong free throw shooting by the Quincy Hawks lifted the home team past the Truman State women on Thursday night 78-75.

The Bulldogs were rolling early and led by nine at 28-19 with under eight minutes left in the first half but were up just one at the break 41-40.

The third quarter saw the Hawks outscore the Bulldogs 18-14 to surge ahead.

Quincy had their largest lead at 66-61 at the midway point of the fourth but the Bulldogs would wrestle the lead back.

Ellie Weltha connected on a triple to push Truman in front 67-66 and following free throws by Bailey Kliewer, the Bulldogs led 71-68 with under three minutes showing.

An offensive rebound followed by foul shots inched the Hawks to within one and a pair of turnovers followed by fouls moved Quincy back on top. Mikayla Huffine swiped a pass and made the layup to push Quincy up 74-71.

The Hawks would maintain that margin by knocking down more free throws in the final minute.  However, Truman did get one last chance to tie the game in their final possession but Gracie Neff's three-point shot was blocked away as the horn sounded.

Quincy made 17 straight free throws from late in the first quarter on and were 21-of-22 for the game. Quincy had 14 more shot attempts in the fourth quarter 24-10), had 18 of their 41 rebounds come on the offensive glass and had a wide advantage in the turnover department with nine to Truman's 21 for the game.

Weltha notched her 40th career double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Molly Joyce added 12 points and Kliewer and Emma Bulman both scored 11.

The Hawks had four players reach double-figures led by 15 each from Cymirah Williams and Janice Dawson.

The Bulldogs slip to 3-10 overall and 0-7 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action with a road game on Saturday against Illinois Springfield. Start time is 1 p.m.