March 10, 2007

Box Score

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis Flyers' incredible season came to close on Saturday with a 67-62 loss to Drury in a hard-fought Great Lakes Regional semifinal at Neil Carey Arena.

Lewis finished the season 28-4 for the best record in program history, and the Flyers claimed their first Great Lakes Valley Conference title in 22 years.

Against Drury, the Flyers led by as many as nine points in the first half for what was the largest lead by either team the entire game, but the Panthers fired an amazing 8-of-11 from 3-point range and closed to within four points of the lead by halftime.

The Panthers opened the second half with an 8-2 run, and went to the deep ball once again to grab the lead at 44-42.

Lewis quickly tied the game with a jumper from senior Darcee Schmidt, and the teams traded the lead five more times over the next several minutes, before another three-ball put Drury in front with 10:42 to play.

The Panthers led the rest of the way, but they couldn't pull away.

A jumper by Schmidt with 3:51 to play brought Lewis to within two at 62-60. Schmidt then blocked Drury's shot on the next possession, giving the Flyers a chance to tie or take the lead with a three.

Mary Moskal spotted up for a trey, but it wouldn't fall, and Drury's Hannah Carter came up with the rebound. The Panthers quickly moved the ball down the floor, and Sara Bos hit the jumper to put Drury up four with 2:52 to play.

The Flyers had two more possessions following the basket, but couldn't cut into the Drury lead.

As the game progressed into its final minute, the Flyers were forced to foul. Drury converted 3-of-4 at the line in the final 22 seconds, extending the lead to 67-60.

Jennifer Green dropped in a layup in the final moments for Lewis' last points.

The play of Lewis' four seniors carried the Flyers to unprecedented heights in 2006-07, and all four added to their legacy in the season finale.

Senior Darcee Schmidt led all players with 18 points, getting nine of those at the foul line. Schmidt, Lewis' all-time leading scorer and an All-America finalist, finished her career with 1,986 points, a full 132 points more than the second-leading all-time scorer on Lewis' career list.

Senior Erin Cox scored 14 points, hitting 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. She also had two blocks, giving her 87 for her career and fifth place on Lewis' all-time list.

Senior Mary Moskal totaled 13 points and had six rebounds. Another All-America finalist, Moskal finishes fourth on Lewis' career scoring list with 1,782 points.

Senior Brittney Diener pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists, giving the program's all-time assists leader 502 for her career.

Drury had three players score in double figures for the game. Greta Wiersch led the Panthers with 16, hitting 5-of-7 from 3-point range.

Drury finished 12-of-21 from beyond the arc. Lewis went 9-of-21 from 3-point territory.