Dec. 4, 2003

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Coaches preach about execution and the Lewis women's basketball team performed near-perfectly as they upset No. 10-ranked Northern Kentucky.

The Flyers (4-3, 2-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Norse (3-3, 1-2 GLVC) that dated to February 14, 1999 with its 87-74 upset.

"This was the most intelligently played and best executed game I have ever coached," said Lewis head coach Lynn Plett. "The team did everything that we coach them to do and just played great."

Lewis' guards, particularly Shante Glenn (Chicago, Ill./Lourdes) (pictured left), set the stage for the Flyers. Glenn followed the best game of her career (Saint Joseph's, Dec. 1) with another spectacular performance. Glenn tallied 14 points, three steals and two rebounds and tied her career-high with six assists.

"Shante has been letting the game come to her the last couple times out," said Plett. "She used her quickness effectively and made a big difference in the game on both ends of the floor."

Senior Tracy Buchholz (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge) (pictured right) continued her perimeter sharpshooting knocking down 5-of-7 3-pointers and closed 7-of-10 from the field. She had a team-high 21 points and three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

"Tracy is coming off the bench ready to go the instant she steps on the floor," said Plett. "Lately, she's been hitting shots like we know she's been capable of."

The Flyers led 40-37 at the break and were able to extend that lead by outscoring the Norse 47-37 in the second half. Lewis shot 50.8 percent (30-of-59) for the game while limiting NKU to 41.0 percent. LU's 10 turnovers were also the team's fewest this season.

A 19-4 run in the first seven minutes of the second half proved to be the difference in the game. In that span, six different players scored for the Flyers.

In addition to Glenn and Buchholz, Darcee Schmidt (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) netted 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

"Darcee won't always power her way in the post," said Plett. "She'll spin around people and is very adept at finding ways to the basket."

Lewis, who trailed the all-time series 3-33, recorded its fourth win ever over NKU. The victory also provided Plett with his first career win over the Norse. Plett's eight seasons at Saint Joseph's and his first with Lewis last season left him 0-21 entering the game.

"This was a very nice win," said Plett. "The team is getting better all the time at playing to what our strengths are and it is becoming more perceptive at identifying mismatches. We're also doing a good job of playing to our opponent's weaknesses and compensating for their strengths."

The win is the Flyers' second over a nationally ranked team this season. Lewis beat then-No. 24 Grand Valley State on November 21. The team will face its third ranked opponent this Saturday when it hosts No. 11 Bellarmine at 1 p.m.

12/4/03