Jan. 8, 2004

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - With the way the Lewis women's basketball team raced up and down the court against SIU Edwardsville Thursday night one would have expected to hear "Call to the Post" played over the PA system.

The Flyers (8-6, 5-2 Great Lakes Valley Conference) sprinted to a 40-34 halftime lead and extended that to a 16-point, 81-65 victory over the visiting Cougars (8-6, 3-4 GLVC).

"Early in the ball game every team will run," said Lewis head coach Lynn Plett. "It's when we keep running and forcing the tempo of the game that we've found success."

Lewis forced 21 turnovers and produced 11 steals to build a 23-point lead with 8:03 left in the game.

Shante Glenn was a primary player in the Flyer defense as she tallied four steals and scored the majority of her 17 points in transition. Darcee Schmidt also took advantage of the Flyers' stingy defense, accumulating 20 points. Most of Schmidt's points were also a result of quick buckets following Cougar turnovers.

"Anytime Shante pushes the ball up the floor and shoots 50 percent from the field, we've usually had a good game," said Plett. "She and Brittany Diener (pictured ) complement each other well. Shante pushes the ball with the dribble and Brittany pushes the ball by passing."

Diener's play was the most she had contributed in the team's last few games; she dished out a career-high eight assists, routinely lobbing lead passes to streaking teammates on the fastbreak, and grabbed three rebounds.

Tracy Buchholz gave the team an outside option, connecting on 5-of-8 three-pointers when Lewis fell into its half court sets. She finished with 17 points and extended her streak of making at least one 3-pointer in a game to 12 games.

Tenesha McDaniel came off the bench to give Lewis five points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes.

SIUE held an early 14-6 edge after making six of its first nine field goals. Lewis was able to restrain the Cougar offense over the last 15:34 of the half and outscored SIUE 34-20 in that span.

Just seven games into the conference season, Lewis has equaled its GLVC win total from all of the 2002-03 season. The Flyers finished 5-15 last year, but this year's improved play sees the team in third place in the league standings. The Flyers trail conference leaders Bellarmine (5-1 GLVC) and Quincy (5-1) by one-half game.

Lewis will have the weekend off as it prepares for a pair of league games next Thursday and Saturday. The Flyers will host Saint Joseph's and Indianapolis, respectively. Tip off for the January 15 game against Saint Joseph's is 5:30 p.m.

1/8/04