ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- It isn't how you win that matters. The key is winning.

The Quincy University men's basketball team moved to 2-0 Tuesday night with a 73-65 victory over Missouri Western. The Hawks let a double-digit lead slip away, but never trailed in winning the non-conference game.

"We didn't do it pretty," QU coach Marty Bell told WGEM radio. "We didn't do a lot of things well. The only thing we did well was win the game."

The game was tied at 59 with 3:52 left to play, but the Hawks went on a closing 14-6 run to pull out the win. For the second straight game, some solid free-throw shooting down the stretch aided the Hawks.

QU made 10 of 11 free throw attempts in the final four minutes of the game, including 6 of 7 in the final minute to seal the win.

"Our free-throw shooting down the stretch was key," Bell said. "We did a good job against their pressure late in the game, not turning it over and getting to the free-throw line."

The Hawks started strong. They led by 12 points at one point in the first half and had a 34-25 lead at the break. The Griffons, who were playing their season opener, chipped away at the Hawks' lead and wouldn't go away.

QU hurt itself with 19 turnovers.

"We need to refocus on (turnovers) because that was one of our three keys going into the year," Bell said.

The Hawks got a big game from junior center Justin Brock in his season debut. After sitting out the season-opening win Sunday against Upper Iowa, Brock posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

"Justin was ready to play," Bell said. "He was very active. He was a real force inside. Our guys were really trying to get the ball inside to him."

Billy Baptist led the Hawks with a solid all-around game. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Billy Hayes added 14 points on the strength of 7-of-7 shooting from the free-throw line.

Marcus Rhodes scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Missouri Western, which lost a home opener for the first time in 16 years.

The Hawks return to action Saturday when Central Christian College of the Bible visits Pepsi Arena for a 7:30 p.m. game. QU beat Central Christian 103-57 last season.

-- sports@whig.com/221-3365