Jan. 13, 2007

Box Score

SOMERS, Wis. - After watching teammate Darcee Schmidt reach or eclipse the 30-point mark four times this season, Mary Moskal thought she'd like to give it a try.

Moskal tallied a career-high 31 points and added 10 rebounds, leading all players in both categories, and 16th-ranked Lewis overcame a slow start to beat Wisconsin-Parkside 69-57 Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers, winners of seven straight, maintained a one-game lead over Kentucky Wesleyan in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division. Lewis owns GLVC-best records of 13-2 overall and 6-1 in league action.

Moskal, whose previous career scoring high was 26 points, was 8-of-10 from the floor and 14-of-15 at the foul line. The 14 free throws made are one shy of her career best, and her totals for makes and attempts tied the best marks in the GLVC this season.

Schmidt scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and tied Moskal for game-high honors with five assists.

A Lewis player has scored at least 30 points in four successive outings, as Schmidt reached the mark in each of the Flyers' three most recent games prior to Saturday.

Wisconsin-Parkside (11-4, 4-3 GLVC) led 10-2 and had opportunities to pad the lead, but a Moskal 3-pointer snapped Lewis out of its funk and ignited a 10-2 run that made it 12-all with 10:43 left.

The Rangers scored three quick baskets to grab an 18-12 edge before the Flyers shifted into full gear on both ends of the floor. Lewis outscored Wisconsin-Parkside 20-5 over the final 8:33, limiting the hosts to 2-of-13 shooting during that span, and took a 32-23 cushion into the locker room.

A 7-2 burst following the break gave the Flyers their largest lead, 39-25, with 18:12 to play.

Wisconsin-Parkside chipped away and managed to close the gap to 54-49 inside the five-minute mark. A Moskal basket and a Schmidt 3-pointer slowed the Rangers' momentum, however, and the Flyers held on for a fifth successive win over Parkside.

Lewis shot .458 to Parkside's .353 and earned a 34-28 rebounding advantage.

Mackenzie Heise topped the Ranger scoring chart with 13 points. Kari Score posted 12 points and eight rebounds, while Amanda Gibson and Kayla Ming scored 10 points apiece.

The Flyers travel to Missouri-St. Louis next Thursday.