Dec. 22, 2006

Box Score

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Brandon Dagans exploded for a career-high 33 points and Jason Genova scored 21 as Lewis defeated Olivet Nazarene 78-59 Friday night.

Dustin Warfield added 14 points and Matthew Marino tied his season high of five assists for the Flyers (6-5), who snapped a four-game losing skid.

Dagans shot 11-of-17 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point distance, and 9-of-10 at the foul line as he took over the team scoring lead (15.7 ppg). The sophomore guard, whose previous career scoring best was 32 points against Rockhurst earlier this month, added six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Genova, who missed Tuesday's game at Illinois State due to injury, tied his own Lewis season high of five 3-pointers (5-of-11). His seven rebounds led the team and tied his season best.

Warfield's 4-of-6 shooting effort included a 3-pointer. He was 5-of-5 at the foul line - part of the Flyers' season-best .941 (16-of-17) accuracy mark - and collected five rebounds.

Lewis owned a 34-25 lead with 3:35 to play in the first half, but three consecutive 3-pointers pulled Olivet Nazarene (8-7) even with 1:12 left. Dagans scored four of his 18 first-half points in the final minute to give the Flyers a 38-36 halftime edge.

The second half saw Lewis take command on the strength of its defense. The Flyers limited the Tigers, who connected at a .545 clip in the opening period, to a .296 shooting mark after intermission.

After a basket by ONU's Phil French made it 60-51 Lewis with 8:45 remaining, Olivet Nazarene put just four free throws on the scoreboard during a stretch that lasted almost seven minutes.

Lewis committed a season-low 10 turnovers while forcing Olivet Nazarene into 18 giveaways. The Flyers were outrebounded 30-29 for the game but earned a 21-15 advantage on the boards in the decisive second half.

French and Stan Chismark led Olivet Nazarene with 15 points apiece, and French grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Lewis hosts non-conference opponent Carthage next Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.