Dec. 1, 2003

RENNSELAER, Ind. - The Lewis University men's basketball team was hitting on all cylinders in Monday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Saint Joseph's, and the result was a 104-73 Flyer triumph over the Pumas.

Lewis (4-1, 2-0) posted season-best marks in field-goal percentage (38-of-63, .603) and free-throw percentage (23-of-29, .793) and outrebounded Saint Joseph's (2-3, 0-2) by a 41-29 margin.

Five Flyers scored in double figures, including three who tallied career highs - Randy Wright (Thomasboro, Ill./Rantoul) (21 points), Sidney Holmes (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) (20) and DeAndre Williams (Chicago, Ill./St. Francis de Sales) (10). Monta McGhee (Chicago, Ill./Robeson) tied Wright for game scoring honors with 21 points, and Demitrius Hunter (Silvis, Ill./United Township) added 11.

Except for a 5-5 tie two minutes into the contest, Lewis led the entire way. A 10-0 run gave the Flyers a 24-12 lead with 11:24 to play in the first half.

Saint Joseph's came roaring back and twice pulled to within two points in the first half, but the Flyers managed to hold off the charge and take a 49-40 lead into the dressing room.

Wright, who was a career-best 5-of-6 from 3-point range, opened the second half by burying treys on Lewis' first two possessions. That was the beginning of the end for the Pumas, who never drew closer than 12 points after that and once trailed by 37.

Holmes earned a double-double by recording a game-high 11 rebounds, while McGhee and Austin Real (Aurora, Ill./Aurora West) each collected six boards. Hunter and Real had five and four assists, respectively, and Anthony Scala (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) had three steals.

Wright and Holmes each were 8-of-10 shooting and McGhee was 9-of-12. Hunter snapped out of a dreadful slump at the foul line by going 7-of-8.

Corey Seegers led Saint Joseph's with 15 points but scored just three after intermission. Jamie Holden netted 10 points.

Lewis hosts GLVC rival Northern Kentucky Thursday night at 7:30.