Dec. 20, 2004

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Randi Johnson and Becky Marquardt-King combined for 44 points to lead Lake Superior State to a non-conference victory over the Lewis University women's basketball team.

The Flyers (6-4) had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Lakers (9-1) in the 97-81 loss.

The final margin was 16 points, but Lewis closed within two points after trailing by as many as 16 in the first half. With 5:26 to play, a Mary Moskal (Cherry Valley, Ill./Rockford Boylan) steal led to a layup by Shante Glenn that brought Lewis to 77-75. However, 3-pointers on successive possessions by Randi Johnson and Mandi Johnson and a pair of free throws from Randi Johnson pushed LSSU's lead back to 85-75 with 4:12 remaining. The burst was enough to clinch the game for LSSU.

"When we needed a big play we couldn't get it, but when they needed one they got it," said Lewis head coach Lynn Plett. "That turned out to be the difference in the game."

Randi Johnson finished the game with a team-high 23 points, while Marquardt-King tallied 21 points and eight rebounds.

Lewis freshman Darcee Schmidt earned game-high-scoring honors with 27 points. She was 8-of-11 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. She also added six rebounds and two steals.

"Darcee is becoming really consistent for us," said Plett. "She played another really good game, obviously. She is gaining confidence and is looking to be more aggressive and find ways to score for us."

In Lewis' last five games Schmidt is averaging 21.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. She is shooting .533 (40-of-75) from the field and .348 (8-of-23) from beyond the arc in that span.

Moskal and Erin Cox (Lena, Ill./Lena-Winslow) added 11 points each to aid Lewis' effort.

The Flyers return to action following the Christmas holiday with a trip to Northern Michigan for a non-conference game against the Wildcats. Lewis takes on NMU at 5 p.m. on December 29.

12/20/03